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    Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency
    Aerospace and Space Exploration

    Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency

    Japan flagJapan

    "Japan's national space agency for exploration and aeronautics"

    Founded October 1, 2003 Chōfu, Tokyo, Japan
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    About

    The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, known as JAXA, is the country's national space agency, responsible for both space exploration and aeronautics research. It came into being on October 1, 2003, when three separate organizations, the Institute of Space and Astronautical Science, the National Aerospace Laboratory of Japan, and the National Space Development Agency, merged into one. The consolidation, modeled in part on NASA's structure, brought together Japan's efforts in space science, aeronautics research, and satellite development under a single body overseen by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology.

    Since its founding, JAXA has built a reputation for ambitious robotic missions. The Hayabusa probe returned grains from asteroid Itokawa in 2010, and Hayabusa2 went further, dropping rovers onto Ryugu's surface and bringing back samples in 2020. The agency has also explored Venus with its Akatsuki orbiter, tested solar sail propulsion with IKAROS, and partnered with the European Space Agency on BepiColombo, now en route to Mercury. The SLIM lander achieved a precision touchdown on the Moon, and the upcoming Martian Moons eXploration mission aims to launch in December 2026 to return samples from Phobos.

    On the launch side, JAXA operates the H3 medium-lift rocket from Tanegashima Space Center and the smaller Epsilon S from Uchinoura. It is one of five agencies building and running the International Space Station, contributing the Kibō module and supplying the station with HTV and HTV-X cargo ships since 2009. JAXA's astronauts have flown on the Space Shuttle, Soyuz, and Dragon 2, with eleven crew members having logged time in orbit since 1992.

    Products & Sub-brands

    H3 Launch VehicleEpsilon S RocketHTV-X Cargo SpacecraftKibō ModuleHayabusa2SLIM Lunar LanderMartian Moons eXploration (MMX)

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Who owns JAXA?
    JAXA is not privately owned. It is Japan's national space agency, established by the Japanese government in 2003 and overseen by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT). It operates as an independent administrative institution funded through Japan's national budget.
    Who is the CEO of JAXA?
    JAXA does not have a CEO in the corporate sense. It is led by a President appointed by the Japanese government, who oversees the agency's various directorates, including human spaceflight and space science programs.
    How much is JAXA worth?
    JAXA does not have a market valuation because it is a government agency, not a publicly traded company. Its funding comes from annual Japanese government budget allocations rather than commercial revenue.
    JAXA vs NASA — how do they compare?
    JAXA and NASA are both national space agencies, but NASA's budget is roughly ten times larger. JAXA is renowned for its robotic asteroid sample-return missions, such as the Hayabusa series, while NASA has broader human spaceflight capabilities. The two agencies collaborate on the International Space Station.
    Is JAXA still in business?
    Yes, JAXA remains fully operational and highly active. As of mid-2026, the agency is conducting asteroid flyby operations with Hayabusa2, testing reusable rocket technology, developing the Epsilon S rocket, and preparing for the Martian Moons eXploration mission scheduled for December 2026.

    Keywords

    JAXAJapan Aerospace Exploration Agencyspace agencyspace explorationH3 rocketHayabusa2SLIMISSKibōasteroid sample return

    Sources

    JAXA Official WebsiteWikipedia - JAXAThe Planetary Society - JAXAJAXA Press Release - Hayabusa2 FlybyRocket Lab - JAXA LaunchKyodo News - Epsilon S Engine Test

    Company Info

    Founded
    October 1, 2003
    Headquarters
    Chōfu, Tokyo, Japan
    Industry
    Aerospace and Space Exploration
    Parent Company
    Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT)
    Parent Organization
    Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT)
    Launch Sites
    Tanegashima Space Center, Uchinoura Space Center
    Key Modules
    Kibō (ISS), HTV/HTV-X cargo spacecraft
    Notable Missions
    Hayabusa, Hayabusa2, SLIM, Akatsuki, IKAROS, BepiColombo, MMX

    Official Website

    global.jaxa.jp/

    Links

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