ispace and KDDI announced that they had newly entered into a basic agreement aimed at developing a lunar communications network and demonstrating lunar services. They are also considering a policy to make Yamaguchi a hub for promoting the space industry and developing talent, while advancing joint development using both companies' technologies, facilities and operational expertise.
ispace and KDDI announced that they had entered into a new basic agreement on 12 November 2026 to advance the development and demonstration planning of technologies for a communications network linking the Moon with Earth and the Earth-Moon region. Cooperation is expected to deepen further in areas including ground-station operations, lunar communications and space optical communications.
Building on the basic agreement signed in March 2025, the companies will continue detailed consideration aimed at realising a communications network in cislunar space. The new agreement promotes joint technology development and demonstration planning using the technologies, facilities and customer bases held by both companies.
Under KDDI's Alliance Park Project policy to position Yamaguchi as a “gateway to space,” cooperation will also cover measures to promote the space industry, develop talent and address regional issues, strengthening regional collaboration. The aim is to broaden the base of Japan's space industry.
The companies' comments emphasised the importance of communications infrastructure as lunar activity gathers pace and indicated their intention to deepen cooperation toward realising infrastructure connecting cislunar space from Earth to the lunar surface.