Partnering to Address Social Challenges in Hokkaido and Japan through the “Space Silicon Valley” Initiative
SPACE COTAN Co., Ltd. (SPACE COTAN), operator of Hokkaido Spaceport (HOSPO), has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Mitsui & Co., Ltd. (Mitsui) concerning the “Space Silicon Valley” initiative centered on HOSPO.
Together with Taiki Town, SPACE COTAN is developing HOSPO as a spaceport capable of supporting high-frequency launches of a wide range of launch vehicles. Through this effort, SPACE COTAN aims to create a “Space Silicon Valley” by fostering the clustering of space-related industries in Hokkaido, with HOSPO at its core.
Through the realization of the Space Silicon Valley initiative, SPACE COTAN and Mitsui seek to address social challenges in Hokkaido and Japan, including job creation, tourism promotion, and improving the efficiency of existing industries through the application of space technologies. With these shared objectives, the two companies have entered into this MOU.
In January 2024, Mitsui selected SPACE COTAN as a recipient under the Mitsui & Co. Co-Creation Fund, which supports initiatives addressing social challenges. Through this program, Mitsui has been providing grants totaling 100 million yen (approximately USD 667,000) over three years to support suborbital rocket launch operations at HOSPO and the development of an experimental launch site.
In February 2024, Mitsui’s Hokkaido Branch, Taiki Town, and SPACE COTAN concluded a comprehensive partnership agreement to advance the development of Hokkaido Spaceport and regional revitalization, collaborating to promote the growth of the space industry and community development centered on the spaceport.
Overview of the MOU
Under this MOU, SPACE COTAN and Mitsui will undertake the following initiatives:
＜SPACE COTAN＞
- Conduct technical and business studies necessary for the development and enhancement of HOSPO
- Examine draft roadmaps for technologies and business initiatives aimed at realizing the Space Silicon Valley concept
- Consider the application of items discussed and advised by Mitsui within the Space Silicon Valley initiative
＜Mitsui＞
- Examine support measures to realize the Space Silicon Valley initiative, including:
- Expanding and strengthening collaboration with other companies and institutions
- Establishing next-stage frameworks, such as forming a consortium to enhance and expand partnerships
- Examine support measures to strengthen and expand the utilization of the Space Silicon Valley
- Provide financial advice regarding business studies conducted by SPACE COTAN
Statement from Mitsunori Saeki, General Manager, Hokkaido Office, Mitsui & Co., Ltd.
We warmly welcome the signing of this MOU with SPACE COTAN. The Space Silicon Valley initiative centered on HOSPO is an ambitious endeavor that will create new industrial clusters originating in Hokkaido and enhance regional vitality. Under this agreement, Mitsui will leverage its comprehensive capabilities as a general trading company to contribute to expanding the utilization of HOSPO and building a sustainable ecosystem that unlocks the full potential of Hokkaido, including the space industry.
Statement from Yoshinori Odagiri, CEO, SPACE COTAN Co., Ltd.
We are truly delighted to have concluded this MOU with Mitsui regarding the Space Silicon Valley initiative centered on HOSPO. By drawing on Mitsui’s extensive expertise gained through diverse projects in Japan and overseas, we aim to accelerate the creation of a Space Silicon Valley that clusters space-related industries around HOSPO and contribute to the revitalization of Hokkaido at an early stage.
About Mitsui & Co., Ltd.
- Representative: Kenichi Hori, President and Chief Executive Officer
- Location: 2-1, Otemachi 1-chome, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100-8631, Japan
- Business Overview: Mitsui operates a diverse range of businesses worldwide across areas including mineral resources, energy, projects, mobility, chemicals, iron and steel products, food, distribution, wellness, ICT, and corporate development. Leveraging its global network, information capabilities, logistics, financing functions, and project development expertise, the company engages in a wide array of business activities.
- Website: https://www.mitsui.com/jp/en/index.html
About SPACE COTAN Co., Ltd.
- Representative: Yoshinori Odagiri, CEO
- Location: 98 Nishihondori, Taiki Town, Hiroo, Hokkaido
- Business Overview: Based on a mandate from Taiki Town, SPACE COTAN is responsible for the management and operation of HOSPO, fundraising support for infrastructure development, launch site design, acquisition of national certifications, customer development, launch support, public relations activities, and overall promotion of the HOSPO project.
- Website: https://hokkaidospaceport.com/en/
About Hokkaido Spaceport (HOSPO)
HOSPO is a commercial spaceport open to the private sector, located in Taiki, Japan. For more than 40 years, Taiki Town has aspired to be home to the aerospace industry and is regarded as one of the most suitable locations for a world-class spaceport, thanks to its considerable geographic advantages: open seas to the east and south for launch trajectories, and expansive land for future site expansion.
HOSPO’s suborbital launch site, Launch Complex 0 (LC0), is already operational, with private launch vehicles having reached space three times to date.
To realize its vision of creating a “Space Silicon Valley,” development is underway on a new orbital launch site, Launch Complex 1 (LC1). Future plans include Launch Complex 2 (LC2) for high-frequency launches, Launch Complex X (LCX) for larger and human-rated launch vehicles, and a new 3,000 m runway for point-to-point transportation (P2P).
In October 2024, Taiki Town and SPACE COTAN signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU), committing to expand international spaceport collaboration with seven commercial spaceports located across five continents. To meet the growing demand for launches, SPACE COTAN will explore potential strategic partnerships aimed at establishing international spaceport standards.
Furthermore, SPACE COTAN was selected in January 2025 for the Japanese government’s Space Strategy Fund and will use the funding to develop ground-based technologies to support high-frequency launches of various launch vehicles.
In another milestone, in July 2025, jtSPACE Co., Ltd., a Japanese sister company of Taiwanese firm, TiSPACE Inc., conducted the country’s first suborbital rocket launch backed by overseas investment at HOSPO.
