Japan joins Moon race with successful rocket launch

Sep 07 (BBC) - Japan on Thursday successfully launched a rocket with a lunar lander at its fourth attempt this year.

It is bidding to become only the fifth country to land on the Moon, after the US, Russia, China and India.

Japan has twice failed to reach the lunar surface in the past year, with the latest mission postponed three times in August due to bad weather.

Two weeks ago, India made history when it successfully landed a spacecraft near the south pole of the Moon.

Japan's lunar lander, dubbed the "moon sniper", was launched into space on the H-IIA rocket by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA).

If all goes well, it will land within 100m (328ft) of a location near the Shioli crater, on the near side of the Moon. Previous landers have touched down between several and dozens of kilometres from their intended landing sites. ...continue reading

Source: ANNnewsCH

38-Year-Old Murder Case Reopens

The Nagoya High Court's Kanazawa branch has granted a retrial in a case from 38 years ago, where a man convicted of murdering a junior high school student in Fukui City has maintained his innocence.

Visitors Flock To Aomori Pond For 'Miraculous Moment'

Aomori's Tsutanuma Pond has recently become a hotspot for tourists seeking to witness a rare natural phenomenon: the reflection of fiery red autumn foliage on the pond's surface during sunrise.

Poisonous Mushrooms Spread: Chiba Park Hosts Deadly Varieties

This year, Japan has seen an unusually large harvest of mushrooms as autumn sets in. However, with this bountiful season comes a dangerous reality -- poisonous mushrooms are also flourishing, leading to several food poisoning incidents across the country.

Seized Ferrari Hits Auction with Minimum Bid of 71.3 Million Yen

The Tokyo National Tax Agency has listed a Ferrari, seized from a tax delinquent, in a public auction, setting the minimum bid at a record high of over 70 million yen ($467,000).

Teen Unconscious After Falling From Mikoshi in Okayama

Two people fell from a mikoshi during an autumn festival in Okayama Prefecture's Asakuchi City on Sunday, leaving a teen male in a critical condition.

MEDIA CHANNELS

MORE Sci-Tech NEWS

Researchers in Japan test technology for solar power generation from space

Researchers in Japan have conducted a preliminary experiment as part of a project to generate solar power in space and send it back to Earth. (NHK)

New Replica COVID Vaccine Sparks Controversy in Japan

Japan’s recent approval and rollout of a new "Replica Vaccine" for COVID-19 has triggered widespread public concern, with some businesses imposing entry bans on vaccinated individuals. The vaccine, which began regular administration in October, has faced backlash due to its ability to "self-replicate" in the body, raising anxiety about its safety.