Workshop in Tokyo and Space Launch Site Visit in Hokkaido

24-25 September 2026

Tokyo & Taiki, Japan

On 24 September 2026, the government of Japan hosted a workshop on the HCoC in Tokyo. The next day, a delegation of international diplomats and space practitioners travelled to Taiki to visit the Hokkaido Spaceport, a transparency visit implemented in the framework of the HCoC.

AGENDA

24 September 2026

Workshop in Tokyo

Introduction

  • Mr. Makoto KAMOSHITA, Director, Non-Proliferation, Science and Nuclear Energy Division, MOFA

  • H.E. Amb. Makoto IGUSA, Deputy Director General, Disarmament, Non-Proliferation and Science Department, MOFA

  • H.E. Amb. Mohammed Sameer Salem HINDAWI, HCoC Chair, Ambassador & Permanent Representative of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan to the UN in Vienna

  • Mr. Thomas GNOCCHI, Deputy Head of Delegation, Delegation of the European Union to Japan

First session: Non-Proliferation & Promoting Space Development

Moderator: Mr. Makoto KAMOSHITA, Director, Non-Proliferation, Science and Nuclear Energy Division, MOFA, Japan

  • H.E. Amb. Mohammed Sameer Salem HINDAWI, HCoC Chair, Ambassador & Permanent Representative of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan to the UN in Vienna

  • Mr. Yuta YASUDA, Assistant Director, Space and Maritime Security Policy Division, MOFA, Japan

  • Mr. Fumihito SHINOHARA, Arms Control and Disarmament Division, MOFA, Japan
  • Dr. Xavier PASCO, Director, Foundation for Strategic Research (FRS)

Second session: Missile Proliferation & Regional Security Dynamics

Moderator: Mr. Makoto KAMOSHITA, Director, Non-Proliferation, Science and Nuclear Energy Division, MOFA, Japan

  • Mr. Kazuhiro MAEDA, Deputy Director, Second Northeast Asia Division, MOFA

  • Ms. Jeanne RICHARD, Senior Counsellor, Embassy of France in Japan

  • Mr. Daigo MINOSHIMA, Principal Deputy Director, Security Trade Control Policy Division, Trade Control Department, Trade and Economic Security Bureau, Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry of Japan (METI)

Third session: Role of the HCoC as a Transparency Instrument

Moderator: H.E. Amb. Mohammed Sameer Salem HINDAWI, HCoC Chair, Ambassador & Permanent Representative of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan to the UN in Vienna

  • H.E. Amb. Mohammed Sameer Salem HINDAWI, HCoC Chair, Ambassador & Permanent Representative of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan to the UN in Vienna
  • H.E. Amb. Dr. Alejandro GAROFALI ACOSTA, former HCOC Chair, Ambassador & Permanent Mission of Uruguay to the United Nations
  • Ms. Maria Roseny FANGCO, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Office of the United Nations Political and International Organizations, Department of Foreign Affairs of Philippines
  • Ms Emmanuelle MAITRE, Senior Research Fellow, Fondation pour la Recherche stratégique (FRS)

Closing remarks

  • Mr. Makoto KAMOSHITA, Director, Non-Proliferation, Science and Nuclear Energy Division, MOFA, Japan
  • H.E. Amb. Mr. Humphrey Chatio AJONGBAH, Ambassador of Ghana in Tokyo of Ghana, representative of Ghana on behalf of the Incoming HCoC Chair
  • Mr. Joško EMRICH, Deputy Head of Mission, Minister plenipotentiary representative of HCoC-ICC/ Executive Secretariat, Federal Ministry European and International Affairs of Republic of Austria

25 September 2026

Visit of the Taiki Space Community Center SORA at HOSPO

Observation of the Runway

Observation of the Launch sites

Transition back to SORA (HOSPO)

Discussion with Port Operator, Interstellar Technologies, Taiki-town local government

 

Delegates saw a concrete HCoC transparency measure in action, including a new launchpad being built for Interstellar Technologies’ possible orbital launch from 2027, and the site’s emphasis on local community integration and attracting foreign launch companies.

Issue Briefs

The HCoC and Strategic Risk Reduction

As a multilateral instrument, the HCoC holds a particular place in a global architecture of measures that attempts to reduce the destabilising nature of ballistic missiles. By promoting transparency about policies and launches, it aims to limit the risk of misunderstanding, misinterpretation, and worst-case assessments.

Read More »