On July 17, 2025, the Center for Territory and History Projects at the Japan Institute of International Affairs (JIIA) hosted a public webinar titled "Rule-Making for the Space Domain: Specificities Derived from Its Nature."

The "Historical Transition of the Concept of 'Territory'" Study Group at the Center for Territory and History Projects conducts ongoing research on the development and significance of the concept of "territory" in international law. The webinar was held as part of the group's activities, aiming to deepen understanding of the concept of "territory" through legal studies related to the unique domain of outer space.

The webinar featured three experts who discussed this theme. The keynote speaker was Dr. Kimitake Nakamura, Director-General and Assistant Minister of the Disarmament, Non-Proliferation and Science Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Dr. Nakamura delivered a comprehensive lecture on the current state and challenges of rule-making for the commercial use of outer space, as well as the roles of various actors from both the public and private sectors.

After the keynote address, Professor Setsuko Aoki offered commentary from the perspective of international law and space business, while Professor Masaharu Yanagihara, serving as moderator, shared insights from the standpoint of conceptual research on "territory." During the Q&A session, participants were asked a variety of questions from the perspectives of industry, government, and academia. These questions created a valuable opportunity for dialogue and a deeper understanding of the concepts of "outer space" and "territory."

<Speakers>
Dr. Kimitake Nakamura (Director-General / Assistant Minister, Disarmament, Non-Proliferation and Science Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs)
Dr. Setsuko Aoki (Professor at Chiba Institute of Technology)
Professor Masaharu Yanagihara (Professor Emeritus, Kyushu University; Chair, Study Group on Historical Transition of the Concept of "Territory")

▶YouTube: Lunchtime Public Webinar
Video available in Japanese only.