U.S. Seeks Contractor Role for Japan Satellites

The United States is asking Japan to allow foreign companies to participate in Japanese satellite development as main contractors, an official of the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications said today.

Washington is also asking Tokyo to open up Japanese procurement of satellite components to include foreign suppliers, he added.

U.S. negotiators made the requests in the latest round of talks, held in Washington in January, on improving foreign access to Japan’s satellite market. U.S. companies take part in Japan’s satellite development now as subcontractors.

Japan told the U.S. side that the National Space Development Agency of Japan is already buying satellite components from foreign companies when they are cheap and of good quality, the ministry official said.

On the issue of main contractors, he said, “We answered that Japan must secure know-how in satellite development. We also said that if we start joint development, the U.S. must disclose to Japan technological information U.S. firms acquired in the development.”

Washington has threatened to take economic sanctions against Japan over the satellite issue, arguing that Tokyo is using government money to develop a domestic satellite industry while unfairly shutting out foreign competition.

Japan and the United States plan to resume satellite talks in late February in Tokyo.