Chiaki Mukai, who is the Vice President of the Tokyo University of Science, has assumed the position of chairperson of the Scientific and Technical Subcommittee of the UN Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS).
COPUOS provides support for outer space research, conducts information exchange, and reviews the actual methods and legal issues that arise in relation to peaceful use of outer space. Its task is to submit a report on these activities to the UN General Assembly. There are 74 constituent countries as of the present point in time. (From the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website).
The Scientific and Technical Subcommittee is an organization established under COPUOS, and holds discussions on issues such as space waste (space debris) and "long-term sustainability of space activities."
Mukai's term is for one year starting in February of next year, and this marks the first time that a Japanese person is taking up a post as chairperson of the subcommittee. As chairperson, Vice President Mukai will coordinate discussions that are held within the subcommittee.