UTSUNOMIYA, Tochigi Pref. -- Searching for garbage from space -- it sounds like a science fiction plot of questionable quality.
In actual fact, however, it is a novel government program that could be up and running in the near future.
Officials envision satellites humming along above the Earth working in concert with investigators using hand-held data terminals on the ground to locate illegal garbage dumps and help pre-empt illegal dumping.