"US, Japan, and 6 Other Countries to Soon Sign the Artemis Accords on Lunar Exploration Principles"

[Asia Economy Reporter Minji Lee] The United States, Japan, and six other countries are expected to soon sign the 'Artemis Accords,' which outline the basic principles regarding the ownership and use of space resources obtained from lunar exploration.

According to Japan's Yomiuri Shimbun on the 11th, eight countries including the United States, Japan, Canada, the United Kingdom, Italy, Australia, Luxembourg, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) plan to hold an online meeting soon to discuss the Artemis Accords.

The Artemis Accords include principles such as conducting space activities for peaceful purposes and ensuring transparency in national policies, plans, and scientific data. They also reflect provisions for emergency support for space occupants, preservation of historically significant landing sites and space areas, non-interference with other countries' activities, and measures to prevent the increase of space debris.

Yomiuri reported that initially, there was consideration to establish a legally binding agreement to implement the so-called 'Artemis Program,' which aims to land American astronauts on the lunar south pole by 2024. However, since the U.S. side insisted on reaching an agreement before the presidential election, it is expected that, for the time being, the accord will remain a political declaration without legal binding force.

The Japanese government is expected to land a Japanese astronaut on the lunar surface for the first time through the Artemis Program and support private companies' lunar resource exploration.

Yomiuri added that the Artemis Accords reflect a sense of caution toward China, which aims to become a space power, and that the rivalry between the United States and China over space dominance is intensifying.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.