October 13, 2005
Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology
Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency
1. Outline of the Asia-Pacific Regional Space Agency Forum (APRSAF)
APRSAF is an annual international meeting that was established in 1993 in response to a proposal made by Japan to the closing declaration at the Asia-Pacific International Space Year Conference (APIC) in 1992. The meeting is co-hosted by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA).
The APRSAF aims to promote space utilization in the Asian-Pacific region, and many international space-related and government organizations participate in the APRSAF to report each country’s activities, exchange information on future projects, and discuss the establishment of specific cooperation activities.
The 12th APRSAF was the first meeting held in Japan in five years as the last four had been held overseas in cooperation with space agencies in the Asia-Pacific region.
The attached Recommendations were adopted at the 12th APRSAF. For your information, a Water Boost Rocket Competition was also held for young people in Japan and the Asia-Pacific region aiming at promoting and enlightening the public about space-related development.
2. Outline of the Twelfth Session of the Asia-Pacific Regional Space Agency Forum (APRSAF-12)
(1) Date and Place
Between Oct. 11 (Tue) and 13 (Thu), 2005 at the Kitakyusyu International Conference Center
(2) Attendees
From Japan: Mr. Hiroki Matsuo (General Chairperson), Vice Chairman of Space Activities Commission; Mr. Yasutaka Moriguchi, Director General of the Research and Development Bureau of MEXT; and Mr. Keiji Tachikawa,President of JAXA From Asian-Pacific countries: Presidents of space related organizations,government personnel, participants from organizations using space technology such as disaster preparation agencies and other industrial sectors.
(3) Theme and Contents
Theme: Maximizing Space Benefits for Society
Contents:
– Contribution to disaster preparation and reduction using space technology
– Enlightening the public about space and promoting education using space
(4) Program
Oct. 11: General Session
(Opening welcome speech, speeches by each country’s delegate)
Oct. 12:
Working Group Sessions (Four working group sessions, namely Earth observation, Communication Satellite application, Educational promotion, and ISS, and a special session on disaster reduction using space technology)
Oct. 13:
A.M. General Session (Report and recommendation of each group session)
P.M. Technical Tour (Kitakyusyu Eco Town, etc.)
Recommendations of the twelfth session of the Asia-Pacific Regional Space Agency Forum (APRSAF-12) http://www.jaxa.jp/press/2005/10/20051013_aprsaf_e.html#outline
