The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) and Singapore’s National Space Agency (NSAS) signed the first bilateral Memorandum of Cooperation on July 6, 2026, to promote joint efforts in space technology, science, industry development, education, and regulatory exchanges [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]. The agreement was signed at Spacetide 2026, a global space industry conference held in Tokyo [1, 5].
Singapore became JAXA’s third partner under its Co-funded Business Promotion Framework (CBPF), after the UK and France. This framework aims to foster business and industrial collaboration between countries [1, 5]. NSAS itself was newly established in April 2026 under Singapore’s Ministry of Trade and Industry to grow the national space ecosystem and bolster international ties [1, 2, 5].
Singapore’s space industry currently includes about 70 companies and roughly 2,000 professionals, reflecting a fast-growing sector [2, 3, 4, 5]. The cooperation agreement focuses on cutting-edge areas such as quantum satellite communications and artificial intelligence applications for satellite operations [1, 2, 3, 4, 5].
Ahead of the agreement, Singaporean quantum startup SpeQtral partnered with Japan’s SKY Perfect JSAT Corporation in January 2026 to trial ultra-secure satellite communications using quantum cryptography. SpeQtral’s founder, Lim Chune Yang, said the company is "using space technology to augment the entire global telecommunications industry" [2, 3, 4].
A separate Memorandum of Understanding was also signed at Spacetide between Singapore’s Nanyang Technological University (NTU) and Japanese software firm Fusic to explore AI in satellite constellation management. NTU’s Deputy President, Professor Christian Wolfrum, noted the need for new approaches to safely and efficiently manage growing satellite networks [1]. Additionally, Japanese satellite communications company Warpspace formed a partnership with Singapore’s Transcelestial Technologies to collaborate on satellite communications infrastructure [5].
Ngiam Le Na, Chief Executive of NSAS, said Japanese and Singaporean firms are already collaborating closely and expects "significant breakthroughs" in the coming years [2].
The agreement builds on a strategic partnership upgrade announced in March 2026 between Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and Singaporean Prime Minister Lawrence Wong to enhance bilateral ties including space cooperation [1, 5].
The countries will now work on implementing projects under the cooperation framework to expand scientific research, joint technology development, and commercial space ventures.
