Creating “an aerospace Silicon Valley” in Hokkaido
More than half a century has passed since humanity's first moon landing.
Today, space is no longer a destination, but a frontier for business.
Here,we offer launch trajectories over the sea
to the east and south—along with the clear skies
that are famously known as “Tokachi-bare”:
the signature sunny weather of the Tokachi region.
With sparse air and sea traffic, this is an ideal location for a spaceport.
As global demand for spaceports grows,
we envision Hokkaido as home to a hub where rockets
frequently launch and land.
Pioneers of the space industry will cross the seas,
and new business opportunities will transcend industry boundaries,
all converging at this spaceport.
A new wave of innovation will sweep across Hokkaido and expand beyond.
This is a one-of-a-kind spaceport, found nowhere else in the world.
The passion for space will inspire Hokkaido and Japan as a whole.
Establishing the space industry as a key sector in Japan
Our company name includes “Cotan,” derived from kotan,
meaning “village” in the language of the Ainu,
the indigenous people of Hokkaido.
The spaceport we operate attracts passionate individuals from various industries,
with a focus on rockets but extending beyond the space sector.
With the vast expanse of Hokkaido on our side, homes, factories, commercial facilities,
and new tourist destinations will be developed.
Blessed with natural splendor,
Hokkaido offers opportunities for growth and development that are possible only here.
Various forces will come together to drive the growth of Hokkaido's economy and expand its potential.
This spaceport is not just about building rockets;
it's about shaping the industries of the future.
Here, we're creating an unmatched spaceport community.
The future that will emerge from this “space cotan (village)”
is something truly exciting to look forward to.
Taiki Town, Hokkaido
Yutaka Kurokawa
Mayor
Kurokawa was born in Taiki Town in 1961.
After graduating from Taiki High School, he joined the Taiki municipal government in 1979.
He spent many years in the planning department, overseeing space-focused community development initiatives. Following this, he held various key positions, including administrative director of the Town Hospital, manager of the Planning, Commerce, and Industry Division, director of the Aerospace Promotion Office, and deputy mayor (from 2019).
In May 2023, he was elected mayor. Guided by the philosophy of “co-creation through dialogue: moving Taiki forward!” he's leading the town's development initiatives.
Kouya Suga
Director, Aerospace Division
Hideto Daimon
Section Chief, Aerospace Division
Hikaru Yada
Senior Officer, Aerospace Division
Yuto Osanai
Assistant Officer, Aerospace Division
SPACE COTAN Co., Ltd.
Yoshinori Odagiri
President and CEO
Yoshinori Odagiri started his career at All Nippon Airways Co., Ltd. (ANA) in 1987, focusing on flight operations management. After leading operational teams at Narita and Haneda Airports, he became Deputy Director of the Asia Strategy Office in 2011 and joined AirAsia Japan as a founding member, serving as CEO from 2012. In 2016, he joined ANA Strategic Research Institute, conducting studies on the revitalization of domestic airports for local governments and airport managers. He has served as President & CEO of SPACE COTAN Co., Ltd. since April 2021.
Yasuyuki Hoshiba
Board Director & Chief Technology Officer
Hoshiba joined Sasakura Engineering Co., Ltd., where he worked on plant design and the development of next-generation air conditioning systems, among other projects.
He later joined a technology development trading company, where he was involved in business development for next-generation air conditioning systems in China and Southeast Asia.
He also worked at a private rocket company, where he was responsible for planning and designing various test facilities and ground infrastructure for rocket launch sites.
He has been in his current position since April 2021.
He is responsible for developing the fundamental concept and long-term strategy for the Hokkaido Spaceport.
Hiroki Furihata
Board Director & Chief Strategy Officer
After completing his graduate studies at Keio University, Furihata joined in National Space Development Agency of Japan (currently, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, JAXA) and worked on technical development in human spaceflight projects. For five years from 2006, he carried out technical management and program adjustment with NASA as a resident employee of John F. Kennedy Space Center. After returning to Japan, he was also involved in planning new space projects, etc., in JAXA and worked at another lunar exploration company. He has held his current position from August 2024.
Koji Kaneko
Lead,
Business Development Dept.
After gaining experience in flight dispatch at several airlines, Kaneko joined the founding team of AirAsia Japan, where he was responsible for establishing the Operations Control Center and coordinating with government agencies. He was also involved in managing cross-functional projects, including route development. Later, at Amazon Japan, he led the quality management team in the logistics transportation planning department, focusing on improving transportation quality and safety. He then joined SPACE COTAN in December 2024.
Takayuki Ono
Lead,
Business Development Dept.
As a sales representative at a heavy electrical equipment supplier, responsible for large-scale EPC contract execution for overseas thermal power plant construction projects more than 10 years. Subsequently, as Group Leader of the Sales Planning Department, promoted and executed mid-term business plans. At the same time, took on the challenge of creating new business ventures as a first-generation participant in the company’s internal venture program. Joined in October 2025.
Robert Stynes
Lead,
Business Development Dept.
With experience in international business development and compliance audits, Robert led collaborations with government agencies and global corporations across multiple regions within the UK's QHSE sector. Upon returning to Japan, he worked in the automotive industry managing global ADAS data collection operations and overseeing expansion into the European market. He was also involved in autonomous mobility development, coordinating technical and commercial aspects while collaborating with multicultural teams.
Takafumi Eguchi
Lead,
Business Development Dept.
Engaged in the new development of standard software platforms and electronic control systems in the automotive industry. Responsibilities include ensuring compliance with regulations (e.g., cybersecurity, software updates) and industry standards such as Functional Safety(ISO 26262) and Automotive Spice.
Hironori Mori
Project Manager, Ph.D. (Science),
Spaceport Engineering Dept.
Mori majored in Theoretical Physics and earned his Ph.D. in Science at Osaka University. After working as a postdoctoral researcher in an institute, he moved to IT- / information-related companies. While specializing in model development using AI / machine learning, he also carried out a wide range of tasks related to data science, project management, and IT operations. Later, he was involved in research and development of a doppler lidar and weather data analysis, then joined SPACE COTAN in September 2024.
Tsuyoshi Shibata
Project Manager,
Spaceport Engineering Dept.
Started a career at an automotive company, developing electronic and electrical components. During an overseas assignment, served as a manager responsible for training and developing local engineers. After returning to Japan, advanced to team leader and later took on management responsibilities as a section manager. Later worked at the Japanese subsidiary of a global diesel engine manufacturer, focusing on domestic quality management. Later joined Axelspace Corporation as an electrical unit leader, leading satellite development and process establishment. Building on these experiences, joined SPACE COTAN in November 2024.
Hidenori Hasegawa
Senior Specialist,
Spaceport Engineering Dept.
After completing a master’s degree at Kyushu University, he joined Space Technology Development Co., Ltd., where he engaged in ground and autonomous flight safety operations for Japan’s core launch vehicles. He contributed to the H-II, H-IIA, H-IIB, and Epsilon programs, being responsible for software development, analysis, operations, training, and the formulation of flight safety standards. He also gained experience in launch operations and research through assignments at JAXA. Building on these experiences, he joined SPACE COTAN in April 2025.
Yuki Yanagihara
Project Manager,
Spaceport Engineering Dept.
I built my foundation in body design in the automotive industry, and after gaining experience at two companies, I worked on body design for small scooters at Yamaha motor Co.Ltd. After being stationed overseas, I led the global strategy for scooters under 155cc as a project leader with an eye on the global market. I then transferred to the Development Strategy Department, where I was responsible for overseeing people, materials, finances, and overseas bases, as well as improving development efficiency. I joined the company in October 2025, aiming to contribute to the development of new industries and regional revitalization.
Ryotaro Okamatsu
Project Manager,
Spaceport Engineering Dept.
After graduating from an industrial college of technology, I gained mechanical design experience at several companies.
At a robotics startup, I was involved in planning new robot development, client negotiations, design project management, and hardware design. I also handled responsibilities related to fundraising and external partnerships.
Leveraging these experiences, I joined in September 2025.
Yusuke Takase
Director,
Business Promoting Dept.
During the first seventeen years, Takase worked on field operations and management in airport departments of three airline companies. He contributed to establishing AirAsia Japan Co., Ltd. as a project manager (PM) on building security schemes and negotiating acquisition of approval and licenses with the government. After executing several project managements to improve PM skills in Rakuten group, then joined SPACE COTAN in September 2024.
Kou Kurose
Business Promoting Dept.
Kurose joined the Kanto Regional Development Bureau of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism in 2015, where he was involved in projects to develop ports and airports, enhance logistics efficiency using IT, and establish carbon-neutral ports. After returning to Hokkaido in 2022, he worked at a local specialized trading company, where he was involved in new business development and human resources management. His interest in the space industry was sparked when he attended the Hokkaido Space Summit, leading him to join SPACE COTAN in March 2024.
Ryota Ito
Sub lead,
Marketing, PR Dept.
Ito joined a Hokkaido-based newspaper company in 2011. As the journalist responsible for covering Taiki Town's space-focused community development initiatives, he reported on various aerospace-related experiments, including rocket launches. He joined SPACE COTAN in May 2022.
Naomichi Suzuki
Governor of Hokkaido
Yutaka Fujii
Chairman of Hokkaido Economic Federation
Norihisa Yonezawa
Chairman of Tokachi Aerospace Industry Base Promotion Council (Mayor of Obihiro)
Kuninori Uesugi
Director General, Hokkaido Aerospace Science and Technology Incubation Center (HASTIC)
| Name: |
SPACE COTAN Co., Ltd.
|
| Head office: |
Nishi-Hondori 98, Taiki-cho, Hiroo-gun, Hokkaido, 089-2152
|
| CEO: |
Yoshinori Odagiri
|
| Founded: |
April 2021
|
| Capital: |
JPY 50 million
|
| Main business: |
- Design, construction, management, and operation of the spaceport, including rocket launch sites and test sites
- Launch support for orbital rockets, suborbital rockets, and spaceplanes
-
Research, consulting, marketing, and publicity services related to aerospace businesses
Note: partial list
|
| Website: |
https://hokkaidospaceport.com
|
Download
Our company brochure is available for download. Please note that you'll need to register your e-mail address to download it.
SPACE COTAN Co., Ltd.
Taiki Satellite Office, Taiki Town Economic Center 3F, Nishi-Hondori 98, Taiki-cho, Hiroo-gun, Hokkaido,
089-2152
Please note that SPACE COTAN is on the third floor of the Cosmall Taiki Roadside Rest Area.
