The move is designed to strengthen the European Space Agency’s (ESA) longstanding partnership with Japan and deepen collaboration with the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) and Japan’s rapidly expanding space industry, including its dynamic start-up sector.
ESA will base a representative at X-NIHONBASHI, Tokyo’s thriving innovation hub, positioning the agency at the heart of Japan’s growing commercial space ecosystem. The announcement was made on 28 October 2025 by ESA’s director of strategy, legal and external matters, Eric Morel de Westgaver, during a keynote address at Nihonbashi Space Week.
Highlighting more than half a century of shared achievements between Europe and Japan, Morel de Westgaver said:, “This is a treasured cooperation, older than ESA itself, dating back to Japan’s work with the European Space Research Organisation, one of ESA’s precursors. Today, ESA and JAXA are together in low-Earth orbit with the EarthCARE mission, heading to Mercury with BepiColombo, and approaching the asteroid system Dimorphos with Hera.”
He also pointed to growing cooperation between the two agencies, citing plans for Europe’s Ramses and Japan’s Destiny+ planetary defence missions to launch together.
ESA director general Josef Aschbacher said the new office was a clear signal of Europe’s intent to elevate its partnership with Japan, saying, “Our relationship with Japan is built on decades of trust and scientific excellence. Establishing an ESA presence in Tokyo shows our commitment to deepening cooperation across all space domains – from Earth observation and planetary defence to science, exploration, and commercialisation. This will bring us closer not only to JAXA but also to Japan’s innovative and fast-growing space industry.”
JAXA president Hiroshi Yamakawa welcomed ESA’s decision, noting it would strengthen ties between the two agencies, expanding on the comments of Aschbacher, saying, “JAXA warmly welcomes the establishment of ESA’s presence in Japan. Over the years, ESA and JAXA have built a strong partnership across a wide range of space activities. With the signing of our joint statement on Next Big Cooperations in November 2024, we set out an ambitious agenda. ESA’s presence in Tokyo will enhance communication, deepen our relationship, and help us tackle global challenges while advancing space science and technology.”
The new office follows a successful ESA delegation visit to Tokyo during Nihonbashi Space Week in late 2024, led by Aschbacher. That visit culminated in the signing of the joint statement on Next Big Cooperations, which outlined ambitious areas for future collaboration, including planetary defence, Earth observation, low-Earth orbit and deep space exploration, and scientific research.
ESA’s Tokyo base will be located in the X-NIHONBASHI TOWER, operated by Mitsui Fudosan Co and Cross U, key players in Japan’s innovation sector. The facility has become a central hub for Japan’s space community, bringing together start-ups, researchers, government agencies, and now ESA, to spark new partnerships and joint ventures.
The Tokyo office will allow ESA to directly support joint initiatives, improve coordination between European and Japanese agencies, and act as a bridge between government and commercial stakeholders. It mirrors ESA’s Washington office model, serving as a strategic outpost to deepen bilateral engagement.
Japan’s space sector continues to demonstrate global leadership and innovation, making it a natural and valued partner for Europe. With shared goals such as sustainable space operations, climate monitoring, and building a competitive global space economy, the ESA–Japan partnership remains a cornerstone of international space cooperation.