A July 23 leaders' summit between Japan and the European Union will feature talks on jointly developing “an extensive communications satellite network,” according to Nikkei, in part to reduce reliance on the U.S.
The two sides will also discuss space collaboration more broadly, defence and security co-operation and the development of a new “free trade zone,” spearheaded by the EU and Japan. This new Japan-EU partnership creates opportunities for Canada, given the country’s expertise in space technology and satellites.
Ontario-headquartered MDA Space, for example, is in the process of building hundreds of small satellites for Telesat, another Canadian company. Other Canadian companies, such as Toronto-based Kepler Communications, which focuses on connectivity and the internet in space, could benefit from Ottawa partnering with Japan and the EU on this initiative.
