Axiom Space's Chief Technology Officer Koichi Wakata (left) and company president and CEO Jonathan Cirtain address reporters at a news conference on Thursday in Tokyo. | JESSICA SPEED

U.S.-based space company Axiom Space revealed Thursday that it will establish a wholly owned Japanese subsidiary in Tokyo on July 1, as the company seeks to deepen ties with Japan’s government and industries ahead of its planned commercial replacement for the International Space Station (ISS).

Japanese astronaut Koichi Wakata, who joined Axiom Space in 2024 as chief technology officer after retiring from the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), will act as representative for the new subsidiary.

“At a time when the partnership between Japan and the United States is more important than ever, I feel deeply honored to help with this launch,” Wakata said.

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