"Space Strategic Fund" Support Applications Are Now Open In Japan

On Friday 5 July 2024, the Japanese government started to accept applications for support to be provided by the "Space Strategic Fund". This is an important step for the development of the space industry in Japan which has seen growing traction in recent years; particularly as launch demand has significantly increased and Japan aims to set itself as a global leader in the space-business market.

The Space Strategic Fund is a JPY1 trillion (US$6.2 billion) fund established by the Japanese government to help develop space related technological innovation and international competitiveness by Japanese companies and universities. It is targeting 22 different themes in the 3 areas designated by the government (i.e. areas of (i) space transportation, (ii) satellites and (iii) space exploration). The government recently announced that it started on 5 July 2024 the selection processes for 5 themes including those connected to satellite constellation related businesses