Axiom Space to launch Japan subsidiary - The Japan Times

BUSINESS / Companies Axiom Space to launch Japan subsidiary Axiom Space's Chief Technology Officer Koichi Wakata (left) and company president and CEO Jonathan Cirtain address reporters at a news conference on Thursday in Tokyo. | JESSICA SPEED By Jessica Speed STAFF WRITER SHARE/SAVE X Facebook LinkedIn Reddit Bluesky Threads Email Print Bookmark story Copy link May 14, 2026 U.S.-based space company Axiom Space revealed Thursday that it will establish a wholly owned Japanese subsidiary in Tokyo on July 1, as the company seeks to deepen ties with Japan’s government and industries ahead of its planned commercial replacement for the International Space Station (ISS). Japanese astronaut Koichi Wakata, who joined Axiom Space in 2024 as chief technology officer after retiring from the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), will act as representative for the new subsidiary. “At a time when the partnership between Japan and the United States is more important than ever, I feel deeply honored to help with this launch,” Wakata said. The new entity will serve as the company’s gateway into the Asia-Pacific region and expand partnerships related to human spaceflight, research and manufacturing in low Earth orbit, company president and CEO Jonathan Cirtain said at a news conference in Tokyo on Thursday. “Japan is an indispensable partner in human space exploration and a global leader in the emerging space economy,” Cirtain told reporters. “This subsidiary builds upon decades of U.S.-Japan cooperation in space and reflects our commitment to advancing that partnership even further.” The Texas-based company has conducted four private astronaut missions to the ISS involving participants from 11 countries and more than 160 research payloads. NASA selected Axiom Space for a fifth mission due to take place in 2027, while the company is targeting 2028 for the launch of the first module of Axiom Station, the world’s first commercial space station. The company hopes to use Japan as a supply chain and research partner for the station, including sourcing spacecraft and research components from Japanese companies. Cirtain said Axiom Space expects the station to become operational in late 2029, and aims to have four astronauts stationed there by 2030. He also told reporters that he hopes Japanese astronauts will participate in missions aboard the future commercial station, though positions for Japanese astronauts specifically would not be formally reserved. Wakata told reporters that he and Cirtain had met this week with officials from Japan’s Cabinet Office, defense and education ministries, and JAXA, as well as companies including Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Mitsubishi Electric, NEC and Mitsui to discuss future opportunities for cooperation. Cirtain said the new local presence would provide the legal and operational framework needed to work more closely with Japanese government agencies, research institutions and industrial partners, while also strengthening broader international cooperation in human spaceflight. KEYWORDS space(https://www.japantimes.co.jp/tag/space), JAXA(https://www.japantimes.co.jp/tag/jaxa), ISS(https://www.japantimes.co.jp/tag/iss), Axiom Space(https://www.japantimes.co.jp/tag/axiom-space), U.S.-JAPAN RELATIONS(https://www.japantimes.co.jp/tag/us-japan-relations), U.S.(https://www.japantimes.co.jp/tag/us) In a time of both misinformation and too much information, quality journalism is more crucial than ever. By subscribing, you can help us get the story right. SUBSCRIBE NOW WHAT’S TRENDING   Editors' Picks Japan coach takes responsibility for Wataru Endo going home ‘Customer harassment’ continues in Japan despite moves to end it Mayor of Ibaraki city found dead in drainage ditch Chinese bombers put Japan’s defense strategy in jeopardy, report finds One part of U.K. is enjoying a Brexit boost 10 years after vote The search for Osamu Dazai’s memory in his hometown Mitaka Chinese bombers put Japan’s defense strategy in jeopardy, report finds Japan displays resilience in hard-fought stalemate with Netherlands How Kojima made a destination out of denim Our Planet How carbon finance could give a boost to Japan’s ailing forestry industry By Annelise Giseburt Podcast Kabukicho: Tokyo’s ‘stadium of desire’ Longform The challenge of being neurodivergent in Japan’s culture of conformity By Tomoko Otake SUSTAINABLE JAPAN Restaurant list highlights Japan’s emerging contours SPECIAL SUPPLEMENTS Read more SUPPLEMENTS BINDER Latest News Trump’s Anthropic crackdown sets off AI alarms for U.S. allies 4 hours ago Magnitude 5.5 quake jolts Tokyo area 5 hours ago Bank of Japan takes rates to 1%, the highest level since 1995 7 hours ago Number of bookstores in Japan drops below 10,000 for the first time 7 hours ago Nikkei 225 breaks 70,000 on hopes for peace and after rate increase 7 hours ago