AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES AND JAPAN CONCERNING CROSS-WAVIER OF LIABILITY FOR COOPERATION IN THE EXPLORATION AND USE OF SPACE PEACEFUL PURPOSE, WITH ANNEX AND EXCHANGES OF NOTES(Signed at Washington D.C. on April 24, 1995, Proclaimed on July 20 , 1995) The Government of the United States of America and the Government of Japan, Desiring to conclude an Agreement for a cross-waiver of liability applicable to joint activities in the exploration and use of space for peaceful purposes, Have agreed as follows: ARTICLE 1 The purpose of this Agreement is to establish a framework for cross-waiver of liability in the interest of encouraging cooperation between the Government of the United States of America and the Government of Japan in joint activities for the exploration and use of space for peaceful purposes. This cross-waiver of liability shall be broadly construed to achieve this objective. ARTICLE 2 This Agreement shall apply to joint activities listed in the Annex, ongoing at the time of entry into force of this Agreement or begun while this Agreement is in force. The Government of the United States of America and the Government of Japan shall consult on a regular basis to review the list of joint activities contained in the Annex and may revise the Annex by mutual agreement. This Agreement shall not apply to activities undertaken pursuant to the Agreement Among the Government of the United States of America, Governments of Member States of the European Space Agency, the Government of Japan, and the Government of Canada on Cooperation in the Detailed Design, Development, Operation, and Utilization of the Permanently Manned Civil Space Station, done at Washington, on September 29, 1988 (hereinafter referred to as the "IGA"), or any subsequent agreement that modifies or supersedes the IGA. ARTICLE 3 1. For the purposes of this Article: (a) A "Party" includes the Government of the United States of America, the Government of Japan, and their agencies. It also includes those institutions established under the laws and regulations of the United States of America or of Japan for the implementation of the space development programs of the respective countries and other entities which may be designated in the Annex, with respect to each specific joint activity for which they are designated. (b) The term "related entity" means: (1) a contractor or subcontractor of a Party at any tier; (2) a user or customer of a Party at any tier; or (3) a contractor or subcontractor of a user or customer of a Party at any tier. The term "related entity" may also include another State or an agency or institution of another State, where such State, agency or institution is an entity as described in (1) through (3) above or is otherwise involved in a joint activity listed in the Annex The terms "contractors" and "subcontractors" include suppliers of any kind. (c) The term "damage" means: (1) bodily injury to, or other impairment of health of, or death of, any person; (2) damage to, loss of, or loss of use of any property; (3) loss of revenue or profits; or (4) other direct, indirect, or consequential damage. (d) The term "launch vehicle" means an object or any part thereof intended for launch, launched from Earth, or returning to Earth which carries payloads or persons, or both. (e) The term "payload" means all property to be flown or used on or in a launch vehicle. (f) The term "Protected Space Operations" means all activities pursuant to the joint activities listed in the Annex, including launch vehicle activities and payload activities on Earth, in outer space, or in transit between Earth and outer space. It includes, but is not limited to: (1) research, design, development, test, manufacture, assembly, integration, operation, or use of launch or transfer vehicles, payloads, or instruments, as well as related support equipment and facilities and services; (2) all activities related to ground support, test, training, simulation, or guidance and control equipment and related facilities or services. The term "Protected Space Operations" excludes activities on Earth which are conducted on return from space to develop further a payload's product or process for use other than for the joint activity in question. 2. (a) Each Party agrees to a cross-waiver of liability pursuant to which each Party waives all claims against any of the entities or persons listed in sub-paragraphs (1) through (3) below based on damage arising out of Protected Space Operations. This cross-waiver shall apply only if the person, entity, or property causing the damage is involved in Protected Space Operations and the person, entity, or property damaged is damaged by virtue of its involvement in Protected Space Operations. The cross-waiver shall apply to any claims for damage, whatever the legal basis for such claims, including but not limited to delict and tort (including negligence of every degree and kind) and contract, against: (1) the other Party; (2) a related entity of the other Party; (3) the employees of any of the entities identified in sub-paragraphs (1) and (2) above. (b) In addition, each Party shall extend the cross-waiver of liability as set forth in sub-paragraph 2 (a) above to its own related entities by requiring them, by contract or otherwise, to agree to waive all claims against the entities or persons identified in sub-paragraphs 2 (a) (1) through 2 (a) (3) above. (c) This cross-waiver of liability shall be applicable to liability arising from the Convention on International Liability for Damage Caused by Space Objects, done at the cities of Washington, London and Moscow, on March 29, 1972, where the person, entity, or property causing the damage is involved in Protected Space Operations and the person, entity, or property damaged is damaged by virtue of its involvement in Protected Space Operations. (d) Notwithstanding the other provisions of this Article, this cross-waiver of liability shall not be applicable to: (1) claims between a Party and its own related entity or between its own related entities; (2) claims made by a natural person, his/her estate, survivors, or subrogees for bodily injury, other impairment of health or death of such natural person; (3) claims for damage caused by willful misconduct; (4) intellectual property claims; (5) claims for damage resulting from a failure of the Parties to extend the cross-waiver of liability as set forth in sub-paragraph 2 (b) or from a failure of the Parties to ensure that their related entities extend the cross-waiver of liability as set forth in sub-paragraph 2 (b); or. (6) contract claims between the Parties based on the express contractual provisions. (e) Nothing in this Article shall be construed to create the basis for a claim or suit where none would otherwise exist. ARTICLE 4 Notwithstanding the provisions of Article 3 of this Agreement, this cross-waiver may be limited by mutual agreement between the two Governments, to take into account the particular characteristics of the joint activities listed in the Annex. ARTICLE 5 1. This Agreement shall enter into force on the date on which the Government of the United States of America and the Government of Japan exchange notes informing each other that their respective legal procedures necessary for entry into force of this Agreement have been completed and shall remain in force for a period of five years. It shall remain in force thereafter unless terminated by either Government upon giving six months written notice to the other Government. 2. The termination of the Agreement shall not affect its application to any claims arising out of joint activities listed in the Annex at the time of termination of this Agreement, whether or not such activities are executed before the termination. IN WITNESS WHEREOF the undersigned, being duly authorized, have signed this Agreement. DONE at Washington, this twenty-fourth day of April, 1995, in duplicate, in the English and Japanese language, both texts being equally authentic. FOR THE GOVERNMENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA: FOR THE GOVERNMENT OF JAPAN: ANNEX Joint activities to which the Agreement applies in accordance with Article 2 Agency/Institution/Entity referred to in Article 3 paragraph 1. (a) Japan U.S.A. 1. Advanced Earth Observing Satellite (ADEOS) Program National Space Development Agency (NASDA), National Aeronautics and Space (NASA) 2. Astronaut Training Program NASDA NASA 3. Manipulator Flight Demonstration program NASDA NASA 4. Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) NASDA NASA 5. Advanced Earth Observing Satellite - II (ADEOS - II) Program NASDA NASA National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 6. The Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER) Program Ministry of International Trade and Industry NASA 7. Very Long Baseline Interferometer Space Observatory Program (VSOP) Institute of Space and Aeronautical Science NASA   LETTERHEAD OF THE DEPARTMENT OF STATE WASHINGTON His Excellency, Takakazu Kuriyam, Ambassador of Japan. Excellency: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of Your Excellency's Note of today's date, which reads as follows: "Sir, I have the honor to refer to the negotiations for the conclusion of the Agreement between the Government of Japan and the Government of the United States of America Concerning Cross-Waiver of Liability for Cooperation in the Exploration and Use of Space for Peaceful Purposes, which was signed today (hereinafter referred to as "the Agreement"), and to propose, on behalf of the Government of Japan, the following: With reference to Article 3 of the Agreement: 1. In consideration of the mutual interest that may be derived from a broader cross-waiver of liability for encouraging joint activities for exploration and use of space for peaceful purposes, the two Governments agree that if either of the two Governments, pursuant to sub-paragraph 2(d)(2), makes claims as a subrogee against the entities or persons identified in sub-paragraphs 2(a)(1) through 2(a)(3) based on damage arising out of Protected Space Operations, the claiming Government will take such measures as appropriate and necessary to minimize to the fullest extent possible the relevant financial burden of the said entities or persons. 2. The two Governments also agree that the measures mentioned in paragraph 1 above will be taken in accordance with the applicable laws and regulations of each country and will be subject to the availability of appropriated funds. I have further the honor to propose that, if the foregoing is acceptable to the Government of the United States of America, this Note and your Note in reply shall constitute an agreement between the two Governments, which will enter into force on the date of entry into force of the Agreement." I have further the honor to confirm on behalf of the Government of the United States of America that the foregoing is acceptable to the Government of the United States of America and agree that Your Excellency's Note and this Note in reply shall constitute an agreement between the two Governments, which will enter into force on the date of entry into force of the Agreement between the Government of the United States of America and the Government of Japan Concerning Cross-Waiver of Liability for Cooperation in the Exploration and Use of Space for Peaceful Purposes. Accept, Excellency, the assurance of my highest consideration. Timothy E. Wirth Under Secretary for Global Affairs of the United States of America Mr. Timothy E. Wirth Under Secretary for Global Affairs of the United States of America Sir, I have the honor to refer to the negotiations for the conclusion of the Agreement between the Government of Japan and the Government of the United States of America Concerning Cross-Waiver of Liability for Cooperation in the Exploration and Use of Space for Peaceful Purposes, which was signed today (hereinafter referred to as "the Agreement"), and to propose, on behalf of the Government of Japan, the following: With reference to Article 3 of the Agreement: 1. In consideration of the mutual interest that may be derived from a broader cross-waiver of liability for encouraging joint activities for exploration and use of space for peaceful purposes, the two Governments agree that if either of the two Governments, pursuant to sub-paragraph 2 (d) (2), makes claims as a subrogee against the entities or persons identified in sub-paragraphs 2 (a) (1) through 2 (a) (3) based on damage arising out of Protected Space Operations, the claiming Government will take such measures as appropriate and necessary to minimize to the fullest extent possible the relevant financial burden of the said entities or persons. 2. The two Governments also agree that the measures mentioned in paragraph 1 above will be taken in accordance with the applicable laws and regulations of each country and will be subject to the availability of appropriated funds. I have further the honor to propose that, if the foregoing is acceptable to the Government of the United States of America, this Note and your Note in reply shall constitute an agreement between the two Governments, which will enter into force on the date of entry into force of the Agreement. Accept, Sir, the assurance of my high consideration. Takakazu Kuriyama Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to the United States of America The Department of State acknowledges receipt of note No. P-38, dated April 24, 1995, from the Embassy of Japan relating to the Exchange of Notes concerning the Agreement between the Government of the United States of America and the Government of Japan Concerning Cross-Waiver of Liability for Cooperation in the Exploration and Use of Space for Peaceful Purposes. The Department of State informs the Embassy that, if the Government of the United States of America makes claims as a subrogee against the entities or persons as provided for in paragraph 1 of said Exchange of Notes, such claims will be notified to the Embassy so that the implementing agencies concerned will have the opportunity to deal with the claims in a manner pursuant to the aforementioned Exchange of Notes. Department of State, Washington, April 24, 1995 LETTERHEAD OF THE EMBASSY OF JAPAN WASHINGTON, D.C. April 24, 1995 The Embassy of Japan presents its compliments to the Department of State and, with reference to the Exchange of Notes dated today concerning the Agreement between the Government of Japan and the Government of the United States of America Concerning Cross-Waiver of Liability for Cooperation in the Exploration and Use of Space for Peaceful Purposes, has the honor to inform the latter that, if the Government of Japan makes claims as a subrogee against the entities or persons as provided in paragraph 1 of said Exchange of Notes, such claims will be notified to the Department of State so that the implementing agencies concerned will have the opportunity to deal with the claims in a manner pursuant to the aforementioned Exchange of Notes. The Embassy of Japan avails itself of this opportunity to renew to the Department of State the assurance of its highest consideration.