Development and production base for the next phase of spaceplane development
Tokyo, Japan, May 23 – On May 23rd, 2025, Space Walker (Head office: Minato-ku, Tokyo; CEO: Akihide Manabe; hereinafter “Space Walker”) officially relocated its flagship branch and business registration to Minamisoma city, Fukushima Prefecture. The purpose is to further advance spaceplane development and to prepare a future mass production system. By establishing a development and production base in Minamisoma city, the company aims to anchor its space transportation technology and advance real-world implementation of winged reusable launch vehicles, while strengthening the local industry infrastructure and revitalizing the regional industrial economy.
Background and Purpose / Relocation of Flagship Branch
Space Walker relocated its flagship branch from Chiyoda ward, Tokyo, to Minamisoma city, Fukushima Prefecture, as part of its efforts to reinforce its organizational structure for the development and future mass production of the winged reusable launch vehicles (“spaceplane”) and various related components. The relocation of the flagship branch promotes Space Walker’s business development roots in the region and lays the foundation for an optimized environment to develop, test, and manufacture space planes.
Minamisoma city has infrastructure that supports research and development of robotics and advanced technology. It is an area that is actively involved in fostering new industries, including space-related industries. One of the critical factors for the location of the flagship branch is the excellent sea access to Taiki town in Hokkaido, which Space Walker is considering as a launch pad. Under these circumstances, Space Walker will establish a development and production base in Minamisoma to promote the establishment of space transportation technology and industrial infrastructure, as well as to contribute to the formation of a new industrial base deeply rooted in the region.
Aiming to Create Four Values / Relocation of Flagship Branch
Spacewalker is developing a winged reusable suborbital spaceplane with a view to launch in the 2030s, while currently progressing the “RaiJin Mission” launch ([reference] https://space-walker.co.jp/spaceplane/ plane2028). In spaceplane development, key components such as methane engines, composite material tanks, and systems technology play an important role. Space Walker aims to commercialize these component units, thereby contributing to the establishment of a space transportation technology and strengthening of the Japanese space industry’s competitiveness. With the relocation of the head office and the establishment of a development and production base, Space Walker seeks to create a multifaceted value from the following four perspectives :
1. Establishment of a technology development and production base
Establish individual factories for technical testing, development, and manufacturing of space planes and various components in collaboration with local enterprises in Minamisoma city, to compose a core base for production and development systems.
2. Job Creation
Expand employment of highly skilled technicians (engineers, manufacturing technicians, test operation staff, etc.) in the region, as well as throughout Japan and overseas.
3. Industry-academia collaboration
Promote training of the next generation of space engineers in cooperation with universities and research institutions in the region and beyond
4. Revitalization of regional industrial economy
Provide learning opportunities and events utilizing the space industry, and collaborate with local manufacturing enterprises, among other options, to provide opportunities to enter the space industry from various perspectives, thereby increasing regional recognition
Strong sentiment for Minamisoma and Determination for the Future
Prior to the establishment of Space Walker, CEO Aki Manabe was involved in the Great East Japan Earthquake recovery and reconstruction assistance, helping small and medium-sized businesses in the Hamadori area of Fukushima Prefecture, including Minamisoma city, to rebuild their businesses. Based on this experience, the Hamadori area of Fukushima Prefecture, including Minamisoma city, holds a special place in Aki Manabe’s heart, symbolizing “reconstruction and the challenge towards the future”.
Currently, Minamisoma city is actively promoting the aerospace industry under the national project “Fukushima Innovation Coast Initiative” and has established the “Fukushima Robot Test Field (RTF)” and the Space Industry Promotion Office. The relocation of Space Walker’s flagship branch to Minamisoma means that the company will share in the same steps of taking on the challenges of reconstruction and forging further into the future.
Space Walker aims to create a future in which space travel as accessible as air travel today. The relocation of the flagship branch is not only to develop a base to realize their vision, but also a strong statement of the will to grow together with the regional community. Viewing Minamisoma not only as a “place of development” but also as a “place of co-creation,” we will continue our efforts to achieve technological innovation, create social value, and realize a sustainable means of space transportation.
Outline of New Flagship Branch
| Address | 311 Kitayachi, Kaibama, Haramachi-ku, Minamisoma-shi, Fukushima 975-0036 |
| Access | 20 minutes drive from JR Haranomachi Station |
The flagship branch was relocated to Minamisoma city as of May 23 2025. However, the location of the head office remains in Shimbashi, Minato-ku, Tokyo. The Administrative Division continues to operate in Shimbashi, Minato-ku, Tokyo.
Space Walker is a startup certified by the Tokyo University of Science, conducting research and development of winged reusable rockets (spaceplanes) to provide a sustainable means of space transportation. The company envisions future space travel as accessible as air travel today. The company is also engaged in the development, manufacturing, and sales of next-generation composite material tanks that contribute to the decarbonization of the Earth through lightweight technology used in space development.
Company Name: SPACE WALKER, Inc.
Head Office: Daiichi Yokoyama Bldg. 3F, 3-16-12 Shimbashi, Minato-ku, Tokyo
Representative: CEO, Akihide Manabe
Establishment: December 17, 2017
HP: https://www.space-walker.co.jp/en
For inquiries, contact:
SPACE WALKER, Inc.
E-mail address: pr@space-walker.co.jp
Phone: +81-3-6435-7359