Toyota Motor Corp. has announced a collaboration with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) to develop a manned moon rover in conjunction with Japan's space agency, as part of their efforts to advance space exploration in the country. Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI), which is independently working on an unmanned lunar explorer set to launch in 2025, will provide Toyota with valuable data and expertise gained from operating their vehicle on the Moon's surface. Having been involved in constructing portions of the International Space Station, MHI will also contribute its knowledge in life support systems in space, assisting Toyota in building the crewed pressurized rover known as the "Lunar Cruiser." The Lunar Cruiser is planned for a Moon mission in 2029. In exchange, Toyota will leverage its extensive experience in manufacturing various vehicle types, from racing cars to pick-up trucks, to ensure that MHI 's lunar explorer can withstand the harsh lunar environmen...

Chiba University has recently established the Research Center for Space Agriculture and Horticulture at its Matsudo Campus. This initiative is in anticipation of a future where humans will spend extended periods on the moon. With its expertise as the only national university in Japan with a Faculty of Horticulture, Chiba University aims to explore and develop food production technologies suitable for the alien environments, ultimately striving to create a "space plant factory." By the 2030s, it is estimated that approximately 100 to 1,000 people may inhabit the moon. Simultaneously, ensuring food security has become an international concern. The Research Center for Space Agriculture and Horticulture intends to tackle this challenge by simulating space conditions, such as low gravity and low pressure, using specialized equipment. The center will focus its research on three main areas: "space horticulture breeding," aiming to develop plant varieties capable of thriv...