These asteroid particles may be our most 'pristine' sample of the outer solar system
According to a new, in-depth analysis of the material delivered to Earth from the asteroid Ryugu, the samples of rocks and dust are among the most uncontaminated Solar System materials we've ever had the opportunity to study – and their composition suggests that they incorporate chemistry from the outer reaches of the system.
This not only gives us a unique tool for understanding the Solar System and its formation, it gives us new context in which to interpret other space rocks that have been contaminated by coming into contact with Earth.
"Ryugu particles," wrote a team led by cosmochemist Motoo Ito of the Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science Technology (JAMSTEC) in Japan, "are the most uncontaminated and unfractionated extraterrestrial materials studied so far, and provide the best available match to the bulk Solar System composition."
It has been around 4.6 billion years since the Sun formed, and the Solar System around it. Obviously that's a very long time, and a lot of things have changed since then; but we do have time capsules that allow us to study the chemistry of the early Solar System in order to understand how it all came together. These are chunks of rock, such as comets and asteroids, that have been drifting about in space more or less unchanged since they formed. ...continue reading
Law enacted that allows nuclear reactors to operate beyond 60 years
Japan Today - May 31
Japan on Wednesday passed a law allowing nuclear reactors to operate beyond 60 years, as it tries to reinvigorate the sector to meet energy challenges and climate targets.
Crash of private Japanese moon lander blamed on software, last-minute location switch
Japan Today - May 28
A private Japanese moon lander went into free-fall while trying to land on the lunar surface last month, company officials said Friday, blaming a software issue and a last-minute switch in the touchdown location.
NASA unveils lunar photos of possible debris of failed Japan lander
Kyodo - May 25
NASA on Tuesday unveiled photos of the area of the Moon where a Japanese lander failed in what could have been the world's first lunar touchdown by a private space vehicle.
World's biggest nuclear plant in Japan may stay closed due to papers left on car roof
livemint.com - May 23
A week after Japanese regulators postponed the restart of the world’s biggest nuclear power plant due to safety lapses, a careless employee working from home added to the company’s woes.
Update the system: Japan’s Generational Divide
Coinbase - May 21
According to the Japan Policy Council, 869 municipalities—nearly half of Japan’s total—are at risk of vanishing by 2040. Can web3 NFTs digitize important historic traditions, so they have the chance to live on in web3 forever?
Japan to join India's UPI payment system, says Kono Taro, Japan's Digital Minister
WION - May 19
Japan and India are trying to promote digital cooperation, says Kono Taro, Japan's Digital Minister while speaking to WION's Diplomatic Correspondent Siddhant Sibbal. He also added that Japan is now seriously thinking about joining Indian UPI payment system.
Ear acupuncture: Japan trial shows alternative medicine reduces obesity
perthnow.com.au - May 18
Ear acupuncture can help people lose weight. A study conducted in Japan revealed that overweight and obese men lost over a stone on average after undergoing the procedure that involves strapping tiny beads to the ears.
North Korean hackers stole $721 million in cryptocurrency from Japan
Dawn - May 16
Hacker groups affiliated with North Korea have stolen $721 million worth of cryptocurrency assets from Japan since 2017, the Nikkei business daily reported on Monday, citing a study by UK blockchain analysis provider Elliptic.
Japan weather bureau: 80 percent chance of El Nino by northern hemisphere summer
Reuters - May 13
Japan's weather bureau said on Friday that conditions were nearing for the El Nino phenomenon to form in the equatorial region of the Pacific, and that there was an 80 percent chance that it would be seen by the northern hemisphere summer.
'Forest' of carbon dioxide-sucking vending machines planned in Japan
The Star - May 12
One of Japan's leading drinks makers is planning an unorthodox way to cut its carbon emissions, utilising a ubiquitous device in the nation: the vending machine.
Great balls of fire! 'Rocket debris' lights up Japan skies
gulfnews.com - May 11
Video of the apparent fireballs lit up social media on Wednesday night, with residents and users speculating on what might have caused the unusual display.
Study Shows Interferon-based Treatment of Hep C in Japan Reduced Hepatocellular Carcinoma Occurence
managedhealthcareexecutive.com - May 10
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is responsible for 90% of primary liver cancers worldwide. It is most often diagnosed in people who drink excessive amounts of alcohol or have long-term liver disease from hepatitis B or C infections.
Magnitude 6.3 quake shakes central Japan
NHK - May 05
More details are coming in about an earthquake that struck Ishikawa Prefecture on the Sea of Japan coast.
JAXA weighs new mission using Hayabusa and Hayabusa2 tech
Japan Times - Apr 30
The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, or JAXA, is considering a new mission to collect samples from a small astronomical body, hoping to utilize the technology from the Hayabusa and Hayabusa2 asteroid explorer projects.
G7 digital and tech ministers discuss rules for AI
NHK - Apr 30
Digital and tech ministers of the Group of Seven nations began their talks on Saturday by focusing on the rapidly spreading use of artificial intelligence and ways to regulate it.
Japan's ispace says moon lander unexpectedly accelerated and likely crashed
Tempo - Apr 27
Japan's ispace inc said its attempt to make the first private moon landing had failed after losing contact with its Hakuto-R Mission 1 (M1) lander when it unexpectedly accelerated and probably crashed on the lunar surface.
