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Minister Fast Signs Space Collaboration Memorandum with Japan

Minister Fast signs space collaboration memorandun with Japan.

March 26, 2012 - Tokyo, Japan - During Prime Minister Harper’s recent official visit to Japan, the Honourable Ed Fast, Minister of International Trade and Minister for the Asia-Pacific Gateway, signed, on behalf of the Canadian government, a memorandum between the Canadian Space Agency and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency that will serve as a framework for collaborative activity in the area of space.

The new agreement will enhance cooperation between Canada and Japan in science and technology; support competitiveness of the Canadian space sector by creating opportunities for Canadian industry in Japanese markets; promote increased access to the Japanese market and facilitate strategic alliances between Canadian and Japanese companies; and encourage academic institutions to work together. The main fields of collaboration covered by this agreement include earth observation, space exploration, and science and research.

Canada has a long history of science and technology cooperation with Japan, spanning more than 25 years. The Government of Canada is committed to diversifying Canada’s international space partnerships and obtaining and sharing information about emerging technologies.

Front row

Left to right: Kazuo Todani, Director General, Research and Development Bureau, Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology; Keiji Tachikawa, President, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency; the Honourable Ed Fast, Minister of International Trade and Minister for the Asia-Pacific Gateway; Steve MacLean, President, Canadian Space Agency; and Mikio Aoki, Senior Coordinator, Secretariat of Strategic Headquarters for Space Policy, Cabinet Secretariat.

Back row

Left to right: Iain Christie, President of Neptec Design Group; Mag Iskander, President of MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates; Jean-René Roy, Vice-President and General Manager of ABB Canada; and Marc-André Soucy, Director, of ABB Canada’s Remote Sensing division.

Please consult Ministerial Visit to Asia and Minister Fast's photo gallery.

For further information, media representatives may contact:

Rudy Husny
Press Secretary
Office of the Honourable Ed Fast
Minister of International Trade and Minister for the Asia-Pacific Gateway
613-992-7332

Trade Media Relations Office
Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada
613-996-2000
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