On May 16, 2017, the United States and Japan held their Fourth Meeting of the Comprehensive Dialogue on Space in Washington, DC, advancing a long history of space cooperation between the two nations.

The following statement was issued jointly by the governments of the United States and Japan at the conclusion of the meeting:

Pursuant to their shared goal of continuing to advance bilateral space cooperation and further strengthen the U.S.-Japan alliance as declared by their leaders, the Government of the United States of America and the Government of Japan held their Fourth Meeting of the Comprehensive Dialogue on Space in Washington, DC, on May 16, 2017. This Dialogue represents the strong and shared commitment of two of the world’s most advanced spacefaring nations to enhance further bilateral space cooperation and to cooperate closely with the international community toward ensuring the continuous, safe, and stable use of outer space for current and future generations. The 11th U.S.-Japan GPS Cooperation Plenary Meeting and the 7th U.S.-Japan Civil Space Dialogue were also held prior to the Comprehensive Dialogue, to which the results of these two prior meetings were also reported.

This meeting was co-chaired by representatives from the Executive Office of the President’s National Security Council and Office of Science and Technology Policy for the United States, and by representatives from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the National Space Policy Secretariat, Cabinet Office for Japan. Principal participants included the Departments of State, Defense, Commerce, Interior, and Transportation; the National Geospatial Intelligence Agency; and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) from the U.S. side, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; National Space Policy Secretariat; National Security Secretariat; Cabinet Satellite Intelligence Center; National Ocean Policy Secretariat; Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology; Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry; Ministry of the Environment; Ministry of Defense; Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA); National Institute of Information and Communications Technology (NICT); and National Institute for Environmental Studies (NIES) from the Japanese side.

This Fourth Comprehensive Dialogue on Space continues the work to enhance and strengthen cooperation between the two countries from a broad, inclusive, and strategic perspective. With the participation of experts from across the two governments, the Dialogue series emphasizes a whole-of-government approach to civil, commercial, and national security space interests and cooperation.

At the Fourth Dialogue, both sides provided updates on respective space policies, including recent development of Japanese legal systems such as regulations for remote sensing data treatment and satellite-launching system as well as on U.S. export controls that impact space technology and space systems. Recognizing that their leaders affirmed their strong determination to further “expand bilateral security cooperation in the fields of space and cyberspace” in their Joint Statement in February 2017, both sides discussed space security cooperation, and shared the view that it is critically important to enhance the space domain mission assurance, including resiliency of their space systems through current and future cooperative projects. Both sides also reaffirmed mutual interest in sharing information and experience in space situational awareness (SSA), specifically citing the multilateral Global Sentinel Exercise. Both sides confirmed that they will continue to explore opportunities for whole of government collaboration in order to build a foundation of experience regarding the use of space for Maritime Domain Awareness. Both sides confirmed the importance of space industry cooperation and agreed to discuss this issue in this Dialogue. Both sides conducted discussions on further collaboration in space applications, including satellite navigation systems such as the U.S. Global Positioning System and Japan’s Quasi-Zenith Satellite System (QZSS) and Earth observation, as well as in space science. In this regard, both sides welcome the forthcoming International Committee on Global Navigation Satellite Systems from December 2 to 7, 2017, in Kyoto.

Both sides reaffirmed the importance of the rule of law in outer space. They exchanged updates on ongoing activities in multilateral cooperation fora in which both nations participate, including the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (UNCOPUOS) and the G7, and reiterated the importance of continued cooperative pursuit of transparency and confidence-building measures (TCBMs) to strengthen stability in space activities. Both sides also discussed the Asia-Pacific regional framework for confidence-building and capacity-building for developing countries in the field of space, recognizing the role of space application in the context of achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Both sides welcomed the ongoing efforts under the December 22, 2015, Japan-U.S. Open Platform Partnership Program (JP-US OP3) relating to the International Space Station (ISS), and reaffirmed strategic and diplomatic significance of the ISS as well as future space exploration cooperation. Both sides are anticipating the upcoming Second International Space Exploration Forum on March 3, 2018, in Tokyo. Both sides discussed new space activities and opportunities for cooperation in space traffic management and space resources development.

Both sides reconfirmed the strategic value of the Comprehensive Dialogue on Space as a mechanism to guide overall bilateral space cooperation policies, and reaffirmed that this Dialogue would continue to strengthen cooperative relations between the two countries across ministries, departments, and agencies.

Both sides concurred on holding the Fifth meeting of the Dialogue in Japan, in 2018.

For further information, please contact Yoon Nam namys@state.gov in the Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs (OES).

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We are concerned by the violent incidents involving protestors and Turkish security personnel Tuesday evening. Violence is never an appropriate response to free speech, and we support the rights of people everywhere to free expression and peaceful protest.

We are communicating our concern to the Turkish government in the strongest possible terms.

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External links to other Internet sites should not be construed as an endorsement of the views or privacy policies contained therein.

Highlights Iran’s Continuing Human Rights Abuses

The State Department released today its semi-annual report to Congress detailing sanctions imposed on persons involved in human rights abuses in Iran. The report cites recent sanctions against the Tehran Prisons Organization and Sohrab Soleimani, the former head of the Tehran Prisons Organization, as required by the Comprehensive Iran Sanctions Accountability and Divestment Act of 2010, as amended by the Iran Threat Reduction and Syria Human Rights Act of 2012. Acting Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs Ambassador Stuart Jones gave the following statement on the report:

“As we continue to closely scrutinize Iran’s commitment to the JCPOA and develop a comprehensive Iran policy, we will continue to hold Iran accountable for its human rights abuses with new actions. We urge our partners around the world to join us in calling out individuals and entities who violate international sanctions targeting Iran’s human rights abuses.

“Whether it’s imprisoning people arbitrarily, inflicting physical abuse and torture, or executing juvenile offenders, the Iranian regime has for decades committed egregious human rights violations against its own people and foreign nationals, and this pattern of behavior must come to an end. The U.S. and its partners will continue to apply pressure on Iran to protect the human rights and fundamental freedoms for everyone in Iran. This includes the U.S. citizens wrongfully detained or missing in Iran, and we call on Iran to immediately return them to their families.

“In addition to the actions taken today, we are communicating to the U.S. Congress that the United States continues to waive sanctions as required to continue implementing U.S. sanctions-lifting commitments in the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action. This ongoing review does not diminish the United States’ resolve to continue countering Iran’s destabilizing activity in the region, whether it be supporting the Assad regime, backing terrorist organizations like Hezbollah, or supporting violent militias that undermine governments in Iraq and Yemen. And above all, the United States will never allow the regime in Iran to acquire a nuclear weapon.”

The report’s release coincides with the Department of the Treasury’s announcement of new sanctions related to Iran’s ballistic missile program.

“Last month the Treasury Department imposed the first human rights-related sanctions designations against Iranian individuals and entities since December 2014, and we will continue to pursue initiatives around the world that uphold our core values of promoting and protecting human rights,” said Jones.

“The Treasury Department is imposing new sanctions on Iranian defense officials, an Iranian entity, and a China-based network that supplied missile-applicable items to a key Iranian defense entity. The action reflects concern with Iran’s continued development of ballistic missiles, which is in inconsistent with United Nations Security Council Resolution 2231. Iran continues to pursue missile-related technologies capable of delivering a nuclear weapon. The State Department will continue to partner with our colleagues at the Department of the Treasury to ensure our national security in the face of Iranian threats.”

See here for the Treasury Department press release.

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On behalf of President Trump and the American people, I congratulate Norway on the 203^rd anniversary of Constitution Day.

Almost five million Americans trace their origins to Norway, and the Norwegian-American community has played a proud role in U.S. history. Those close people-to-people ties are interwoven with our shared commitment to democracy, security, and sovereignty. We appreciate Norway’s contributions to NATO, support for the fight against ISIS, and leadership in promoting peace and reconciliation across the globe. In those endeavors – and the pursuit of countless other shared priorities – the cooperation between our nations has never been stronger.

The United States is proud to call Norway an Ally, a partner, and a friend. I wish all Norwegians a happy May 17.

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SECRETARY TILLERSON: Good morning, all. It’s really good to welcome you to the State Department. It’s a pleasure to have you here visiting.

FOREIGN MINISTER LAMAMRA: Absolutely. Thank you very much, sir. Thank you. My pleasure to be back in Washington, D.C. You know I have served here 20 years ago as an ambassador?

SECRETARY TILLERSON: Wow.

FOREIGN MINISTER LAMAMRA: Yeah, ambassador of Algeria, so I am back. So for —

SECRETARY TILLERSON: So you’re familiar with the place.

FOREIGN MINISTER LAMAMRA: Definitely. Glad to be here.

SECRETARY TILLERSON: It’s great to see you.

QUESTION: Mr. Secretary, Vladimir Putin is offering Congress a transcript of that Lavrov Oval Office meeting. Do you think the Russians were bugging the Oval Office?

SECRETARY TILLERSON: I would have no way to know that. Thank you.

QUESTION: What do you think of his offer?

QUESTION: Secretary Tillerson, do you stand by —

QUESTION: Mr. Secretary, do you have any comment on the violent protest outside Turkey embassy?

The Office of Website Management, Bureau of Public Affairs, manages this site as a portal for information from the U.S. State Department.
External links to other Internet sites should not be construed as an endorsement of the views or privacy policies contained therein.