【Latest Trends in the Space Business】Japanese Space Business Exhibition “SPEXA 2025” Was Held — Reflecting Optical Communications, International Collaboration, and the Maturation of the Industry 【SPEXA 2025】
From July 30 to August 1, 2025, Tokyo Big Sight South Exhibition Hall hosted SPEXA (International Space Business Exhibition) 2025, Japan’sspace business-focused exhibition and conference. RX Japan, a leading exhibition management company, organized the event. This marked the second iteration of the event, which saw a significant increase in the number of participating companies from approximately 70 in the previous edition to over 130, with 10,826 attendees, making it a large-scale event. The exhibition showcased a diverse range of displays, from domestically produced components to satellite communications, AI analysis, and optical communications, reflecting the industry’s growth and maturity.
From WarpSpace, four representatives — CEO Higashi, CFO Kitahara, COO Takahashi, and CSO/US CEO Mori — participated in the exhibition at the booth over the three days and also spoke at multiple sessions.
In this article, Mori shares his insights gained on-site.
Diverse Exhibitors and Four Stages Running Simultaneously: Focused on Business and Technology
A key feature of SPEXA is its exclusive focus on the space business. SPEXA stands out from other conferences in that it is exclusively attended by industry professionals, corporate engineers, and investors. The range of companies present at the event was extensive, including those specializing in small parts such as screws and cables, as well as those involved in space transportation and satellite development. This comprehensive representation of the supply chain offered a comprehensive overview of the industry.
The venue featured four stages running concurrently, hosting company pitches, presentations by speakers, and panel discussions. The event featured notable speakers, including former JAXA astronaut Naoko Yamazaki, as well as representatives from space-related startups and major corporations both domestically and internationally. The three-day event offered a wealth of high-quality content. Despite being open to the public, the presentations covered practical topics such as the latest case studies, partnerships, and future strategies, reflecting the strong growth aspirations of Japan’s space industry.
The Forefront of Space Business in Europe and the United States
On July 30, a highly anticipated panel discussion on trends in the European and American space industries was held. Mori joined Behzad Koosha (Sidus Space VP Business Development, International) and Bertrand Saint-Guilhem (Reflex Aerospace Senior Sales & Business Development Manager) on stage to exchange views on the growth potential of international markets, collaboration opportunities, and challenges.
The speakers each shared valuable insights from their unique perspectives on startup expansion strategies, the maturation of commercial space services, and policy trends in the European market. This made for a valuable session that heightened expectations for international cooperation.
Notable Exhibits: NEC’s LUCAS Optical Communication Terminal and TESAT’s SCOT80 Small Optical Communication Terminal.
“The conference was impressive for its lavish exhibits,” said Mori.
NEC exhibited a full-scale model of its high-performance small radar communication satellite, ASNARO, introducing its structure and functions to visitors. In addition, an exhibit on the optical communication terminal used for LUCAS (Laser Utilizing Communication System) attracted a lot of attention.
This LUCAS is installed on the optical data relay satellite (JDRS) developed by JAXA and NICT, and plays a role in relaying large amounts of data acquired from low-orbit satellites such as the Earth observation satellite ALOS-4 (Daichi 4) to ground stations quickly and efficiently using laser communication. As an advanced initiative in the field of optical communications in Japan, this technology has attracted significant international attention.
These exhibits symbolized the cutting edge of optical communications technology in Japan.
In addition to NEC, Space Compass introduced its use of Airbus Group company TESAT’s OCT called SCOT 80 for the K program at its booth. Although there is debate from an economic security perspective, it is clear that the company intends to flexibly promote international collaboration.
The Present and Future of Optical Communications: European Collaboration and Dual-Use Applications
Optical communications was once again a key theme at this year’s SPEXA. NEC, SPACE COMPASS, AIRBUS, Reflex Aerospace (based in Munich, Germany), and other companies showcased their technologies and projects at their respective booths. In particular, European companies, centered on Germany, demonstrated their technological capabilities in the field of laser communications and are playing a role in the formation of a global network.
The boundary between security and commercial use is becoming increasingly blurred in this field, with a strong emphasis on dual-use applications that combine civilian and military use. This trend is also driving our company, Warp Space, to develop multi-protocol compatible services.
Conclusion: SPEXA Showcases the “Reality of Space Business”
SPEXA is more than just a venue for technology exhibitions and presentations; it is also a place that captures the current state of the space industry in Japan. SPEXA’s second event attracted more than 130 exhibitors. It was impressive to see lively discussions and business negotiations based on practical issues such as optical communications, component technologies, and specific examples of international collaboration.
As an event that aims to be at the intersection of business and technology, SPEXA will continue to grow in importance in the future.
（Writer: Natsumi Kawaguchi）
