Reports from Japan say an advisory panel has recommended the government should look at building a space launchpad in Kiribati.
The Kyodo news agency reports the committee, organised under the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, urged the Japanese government to consider sites such as Kiritimati Island.
Kyodo reports launches from Japan's current space centre are restricted by fishing seasons.
Tokyo used to have a rocket tracking station on Kiritimati and it's carried out aircraft tests in the region.
Launch sites along the Earth's equator are considered best because the planet's rotation is fastest there, giving rockets an extra boost and saving fuel.
