8 January 2015 – A UK Space Agency-led delegation covering policy, science/technology and business has visited Japan for a series of Space events held in Tokyo. The mission was successful in highlighting the opportunities of working with the UK in this field and gathered interest from various parts of the Japanese space sector.

The British Embassy (jointly between UKTI and the UK Science and Innovation Network) hosted an open event for nearly 100 members of the Japanese government, industry and academia to highlight UK expertise in space. Chris Lee, UKSA’s Head of International Space Policy, opened with a keynote on the UK Space as a place of partnership. The UK delegation (including UCL, SSTL, Satellite Applications Catapult, Clyde Space and Oxford Space Systems) delivered presentations on Space Science, Satellite Applications, Smallsats and Deployable Structures. Delegates also had the opportunity to network with potential partners and customers.

Japan is currently revising its long-term strategies for space development, and there is strong interest in the UK model. The Satellite Application Catapult Centre and the UK’s needs-based approach to application development gathered significant interest – a viable model to develop satellite applications is perceived to be something lacking in Japan.

Space will feature in UKTI Tokyo’s ‘Innovation is GREAT’ Year, starting in April 2015. Watch this space and feel free to contact UKTI Tokyo if you’re interested in hearing more about opportunities in the Japanese market.
Mr Yuki Chamberlain, Senior Desk Officer for Cybersecurity, Space and Emerging Technologies, UKTI/British Embassy Tokyo.