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Feature story

Arianespace underscores its strong ties with Japan during annual space week event

October 6, 2010

Cooperation and partnership are the themes of Arianespace’s 2010 Japan Week activities, during which the company is emphasizing its commitment to support the country’s satellite telecommunications operators with guaranteed access to space.

Building on a successful 30-year relationship, Japan has become one of Arianespace’s leading commercial partners. The country will remain so for many years, according to Chairman & CEO Jean-Yves Le Gall, who met reporters during Arianespace’s traditional Japan Week press conference in Tokyo.

To date, Arianespace has been entrusted with the launch of 27 Japanese spacecraft, beginning with its on-target mission with Japan’s first commercial satellite – JCSAT-1 – in March 1989.

Arianespace’s order book currently includes three Japanese satellites for upcoming launches: BSAT-3b for B-SAT Corporation, to be orbited during Ariane 5’s upcoming mission on October 28; along with JCSAT-13 and BSAT-3c/JCSAT-100R, to be lofted next year.

This year’s Arianespace Japan Week visit coincides with the annual Asia-Pacific Satellite Communications Council (APSCC) conference and exhibition in Tokyo, which features a high-profile Arianespace presence.

“Arianespace is very active in promoting cooperation between nations,” Le Gall said at yesterday’s Arianespace-sponsored APSCC Awards Dinner. “As Asia grows richer, stronger and more influential, it is important for the space community to continue to show the way forward to a world of peace and harmony, as it is a shining demonstration of the benefits of peaceful cooperation.”

Le Gall also took part in the APSCC event’s Launch Services Round Table on October 5, which addressed challenges facing the launch services sector and its customers.

“One of the virtues of the satellite industry is the diversity of its services and the diversity of its geographical demand that drives the industry,” said Le Gall, who also provided a report on Arianespace’s current launch activities during the session.

Le Gall further underscored the theme of cooperation in his capacity as co-chair of the European Union-Japan Business Round Table, meeting this week with new fellow co-chair Hiromasa Yonekura to produce joint recommendations for 2011.

Established in 1995 to foster communications between Japanese and European industries, the Round Table’s primary objective is to submit recommendations to the European Commission, the governments of European Union member states and to the Japanese government in order to develop trade, investment and industrial cooperation between Europe and Japan.

For additional details on Arianespace’s Japan Week activities:

• Read the overview press release.
• See the European Union-Japan Business Round Table story.