By taking the opportunity of attending the Earth Observation Summit III to be held in Brussels, Belgium on February 16, 2005, the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) signs the “Charter On Cooperation To Achieve The Coordinated Use Of Space Facilities In The Event Of Natural Or Technological Disasters (hereinafter called “The International Charter Space and Major Disasters”)” and accedes to the International Disaster Charter for the purpose of promoting its contribution to the disaster management by the earth observation satellites.
The International Disaster Charter is an international cooperative framework participated mainly by the space agencies across the world.
At the occasion of a large-scale disaster, it aims to contribute to the understanding of its cause, the restoration of affected areas and follow-up management by providing the earth observation satellite-acquired data. It stipulates to provide free data on the request of an Authorized User (it is a national government body in charge of disaster management to which a participating space agency of the International Charter belongs. It will be the Cabinet Office in Japan).
Exhibit 1:
Outline of the International Charter “Space and Major Disasters”
http://www.jaxa.jp/press/2005/02/20050210_disasterscherter_e.html#at1
JAXA WEB SITE :
http://www.jaxa.jp/index_e.html