Japan to Send First Astronaut to Moon

The United States and Japan are finalizing arrangements for the first-ever landing of a Japanese astronaut on the moon as part of the lunar exploration program led by the United States.

This significant achievement is expected to occur by 2025 at the earliest, marking the first time American astronauts will land on the moon in over half a century.

Sources indicate that a Japanese astronaut may be among those set to touch down on the lunar surface.

The Artemis program, aimed at making history by sending American astronauts to the moon by 2025, is in the final stages of planning.

Likely, a second Japanese astronaut will also be sent to the moon as part of the mission, with details of the plan expected to be finalized next month.

In September of last year, Japan launched the H-IIA rocket carrying a lunar landing module developed by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) from the Tanegashima Space Center in the southwest of the country.

This launch marked the first successful launch of a large domestic rocket from Tanegashima Island since the failed inaugural launch attempt in March for the next-generation H3 rocket, according to Kyodo News Agency.

The collaboration between the United States and Japan in lunar exploration represents a significant step forward in international space exploration efforts and solidifies Japan's role as a key player in space exploration missions.