PH, Japan ink joint declaration on space cooperation

The Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA) and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) have signed a Joint Declaration of Interest in Space Cooperation, boosting ties on space exploration.

The declaration was signed by PhilSA Ad Interim Director General Gay Jane Perez and JAXA President Hiroshi Yamakawa during President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. 's state visit to Tokyo last May 27.

“As we mark the 10th anniversary of the launch into orbit of the Diwata-1 microsatellite from the Japanese module of the International Space Station this year, we are reminded of how our partnership has quite literally reached new heights, symbolizing our shared commitment to innovation, science, and the industries of the future,” said Marcos at the Summit Meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae last May 28.

The declaration reaffirms Manila’s and Tokyo’s shared goals and interest in satellite joint mission partnerships and applications, space exploration and human spaceflight, and space sustainability.

The Philippines and Japan are also partners in space education as PhilSA participated in JAXA’s Kibo Asian Beneficial Collaboration. The collaboration allows Filipino researchers and students with opportunities to design experiments to be conducted aboard the International Space Station’s (ISS) Japanese Experiment Module “Kibo”, said PhilSA.

“Furthermore, the Philippines looks forward to continuing its partnership with JAXA specifically on applications of Japanese satellite data for environmental monitoring and disaster management. The signing of the Joint Declaration of Interest in Space Cooperation shows the positive synergistic path in deepening collaboration between the Philippines and Japan,” said PhilSA.

This year also marks the 20 years of Sentinel Asia, an international cooperation project led by JAXA and the Asian Disaster Reduction Center (ADRC) that contributes to disaster management in the Asia-Pacific region.

“From 2024 to 2025, a total of 20 emergency observation requests were made through Sentinel Asia by different Philippine institutions: PAGASA, PHIVOLCS, MGB, and PhilSA. Most of these requests were related to floods, landslides, and storms; two were for earthquakes; one for an oil spill; and one for volcanic activity,” said PhilSA. —VAL, GMA News