Japan, the United States and six other countries have signed an agreement laying out what they say are the guiding principles for space exploration.

The US-led Artemis Accords are named after the Artemis program on lunar exploration that includes plans to send astronauts to the moon. Japan is a member of the program.

Canada and Britain were also among the eight nations that signed the pact at an online ceremony during the annual International Astronautical Congress.

Principles in the agreement include peaceful exploration and transparency. The pact also has rules on the extraction and use of space resources.

Japan's government says that although the accords are not legally binding, they mark the first international framework the country has joined for lunar and other space activities.

Science and Technology Policy Minister Inoue Shinji, who is in charge of space policy, spoke at the signing ceremony.

Inoue said he hopes the principles will serve as a major guide for future international rule-setting on space activity.

He said Japan looks forward to cooperating with its international partners.

Source: ANNnewsCH