National / Science & Health May 26, 2020
Japan's Kounotori cargo spacecraft successfully docks to ISS
The docking marks the last such mission for the model before its replacement.
National May 21, 2020
JAXA's Kounotori 9 cargo spacecraft launches successfully on final mission
The launch was the last for both the Kounotori, which means "stork" in Japanese, and the H-IIB rocket.
National / Social Issues May 21, 2020
How do you reduce stress in a confined space? Ask an astronaut
by Yuka Nakao
Atsuhiro Mitsumaru, principal medical officer at Japan's space agency, says a comparison can be drawn between life on the ISS and staying at home.
National / Science & Health Feb 15, 2020
JAXA and U.N. food agency join hands on global monitoring of forests
Amid deepening concerns over climate change, the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency and the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization agree to cooperate on monitoring forests and mangroves around the world by using data from observation satellites.
National Feb 10, 2020
Japan has put a new spy satellite into orbit that is expected to help the government capture images of North Korean missile sites. The spy satellite was lofted into orbit by an H-IIA rocket launched at 10:34 a.m. Sunday from Tanegashima Space Center in Kagoshima ...
National Dec 30, 2019
Japan's low altitude satellite Tsubame registered in Guinness World Records
The honor is for achieving the “lowest altitude by an Earth observation satellite in orbit.
National / Crime & Legal Dec 5, 2019
Ex-senior Japanese education ministry official given suspended term for corruption
A former senior education ministry official was sentenced to 18 months in prison, suspended for three years, on Wednesday for receiving bribes from a former consulting firm executive. The Tokyo District Court also gave Kazuaki Kawabata, 58, former director general for international affairs at the ...
National / Science & Health Dec 3, 2019
Japan's Hayabusa2 on homeward journey with main engines activated
Japan's space agency said Tuesday its Hayabusa2 probe is now homeward bound after activating its main engines following completion of its mission to collect samples from an asteroid. The probe is scheduled to travel around 800 million kilometers to deliver the samples from the Ryugu ...
National Nov 27, 2019
Giant leap for yakitori: Canned chicken dish receives Japanese Space Food certification
Yakitori has become the first canned meat product certified by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), meaning astronauts will be able to enjoy grilled chicken during missions on the International Space Station. "We hope they will enjoy (canned yakitori) during their recreation in zero-gravity space," ...
National / Science & Health Nov 13, 2019
Japan's Hayabusa2 leaves asteroid to deliver samples to Earth in 2020
Japan's space agency said Wednesday its Hayabusa2 space probe had departed from an asteroid where it had landed to collect samples, and will now travel some 800 million kilometers to deliver them to Earth in November or December of next year. The probe's homeward journey, ...
National / Science & Health Nov 12, 2019
Mitsubishi Heavy looking to develop more powerful H3 rocket for lunar missions
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd. is looking to develop an upgraded version of Japan's mainstay next-generation H3 rocket capable of delivering heavy payloads deeper into space, company officials said. The firm's move comes after the country agreed this fall to take part in missions to the ...
National Nov 12, 2019
Hayabusa2 probe to begin journey back to Earth carrying samples from distant Ryugu asteroid
Japan's Hayabusa2 probe will on Wednesday leave orbit around a distant asteroid and head for Earth after an unprecedented mission, carrying samples that could shed light on the origins of the solar system. Science and education minister Koichi Hagiuda told reporters Tuesday that the long ...