Japan's Space Agency Institute Bans Chinese, Russian Researchers

The United States, Britain, France, and Germany are among those that are qualified to screen for all research fields.

Japan's Space Agency Institute Bans Chinese, Russian Researchers

To protect sensitive technological information that might be used for military purposes, a scientific institute affiliated with space agency of Japan has prohibited Chinese and Russian researchers, among others, from working there, according to a source familiar with the situation.

According to the source, new criteria were established by the Institute of Space and Astronautical Science last September and went into effect in September.

Japan Aero-space Exploration Agency, the organization’s parent, declined to comment. The action is being taken as part of efforts to block access to technologies used in satellites and rockets by foreign organisations working on the development of weapons of mass destruction. People from Belarus, North Korea, Iran, Iraq, and other nations have also been prohibited from going through screening to enter ISAS.

Certain exceptions apply to China, India, and members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. Their researchers and students are qualified for admission screening if they have made outstanding scientific achievements and received the head of ISAS’ approval.

However, individuals from the group of nations are not permitted to take the engineering examination. Under the new standards, there are two more groups. The United States, Britain, France, and Germany are among those that are qualified to screen for all research fields.

South Korea, Turkey, and South Africa make up the final group. They are permitted to screen for the field of science as long as the applicant has the head of the institute’s approval, but they are, in theory, not allowed to screen for the field of engineering. According to the source, those who had been accepted before the new standards went into effect are unaffected.

In making their decision, ISAS will take into account whether a foreign institute employs Japanese nationals or foreigners who have lived in Japan for more than six months, as well as whether they are receiving scholarships or other financial benefits from foreign governments, the source said.

ISAS also serves as an international inter-university research centre that welcomes participants from all over the world, including space researchers and students.