Scientists at Japan's space agency say the Hayabusa2 probe has achieved perfect success in its mission, the goal of which was to bring back samples from a distant asteroid.
The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, or JAXA, held an online news conference on Tuesday.
The Japanese government has extended the Self-Defense Force's mission in the Middle East by one year, citing continued tension in the region.
The SDF's destroyer and patrol aircraft have been deployed in the region for an intelligence-gathering mission to ensure safe navigation for vessels related to Japan.
Japanese scientists say the space probe Hayabusa2 has successfully released a capsule which is expected to re-enter Earth's atmosphere.
The capsule is believed to contain sand from a remote asteroid Ryugu. It is scheduled to land in a desert in South Australia.
The Japanese government has decided to extend by another year the Maritime Self-Defense Force's mission in Middle East waters to ensure safe navigation for vessels related to Japan.
Japan deployed a destroyer and patrol aircraft for its intelligence-gathering mission classified as a study and research activity under the ministry's establishment law.
Members of the SpaceX Crew Dragon are now settling into the International Space Station -- their home and workplace for the next six months.
Their arrival made history. It's the first time a privately-owned vessel has made the trip. The four-person crew is now ready to get to work on the orbiting lab.
The Japanese government has decided to extend by another year the Maritime Self-Defense Force's counter-piracy mission off the coast of Somalia.
Japan has deployed destroyers and patrol aircraft to guard commercial ships in the area based on the anti-piracy law since 2009. The current mission is scheduled to expire on Thursday next week.
Astronauts heading for the International Space Station on board the first operational flight of a privately-developed space capsule have shared their thoughts ahead of the launch later this week.
Commander Michael Hopkins and two other US astronauts from NASA as well as Japanese astronaut Noguchi Soichi will be on board the Crew Dragon spacecraft, developed by SpaceX.
Japan's Defense Ministry has had to put off sending a Maritime Self-Defense Force vessel to the Middle East after one crew member tested positive for the coronavirus.
The ministry says the infection was confirmed on Tuesday aboard the destroyer Murasame, which was due to engage in an intelligence-gathering mission in the Middle East.
Japanese Astronaut Hoshide Akihiko has spoken of his enthusiasm for his third trip to the International Space Station scheduled for next spring.
Last month, the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency announced Hoshide will head to the ISS on the second operational flight of the US spacecraft Crew Dragon.
NHK has learned that Japan's space agency is planning to send its asteroid probe Hayabusa2 on another 10-year mission after bringing back samples from the asteroid Ryugu.
Hayabusa2 is scheduled to approach Earth on December 6 to drop a capsule containing the samples onto an Australian desert after a six-year journey.
A destroyer of Japan's Maritime Self-Defense Force has left for the Middle East to take on an intelligence-gathering mission to ensure the safe navigation of Japan-related vessels in the region's waters.
The Kirisame left Sasebo Base in Nagasaki Prefecture on Sunday after a ceremony that was scaled back due to the coronavirus. The ship has a crew of around 200.
Japanese astronaut Noguchi Soichi says he will do his best to ensure the success of his next mission on a new spacecraft developed by a private US company, SpaceX.
Noguchi spoke to NHK in an online interview from the United States.
A Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force destroyer has begun its mission in the Middle East.
The Takanami left Japan on February 2. On Wednesday, it began intelligence-gathering operations to protect Japan-linked ships sailing through the Gulf of Oman and the northern part of the Arabian Sea.
Japanese Defense Minister Taro Kono has downplayed the danger to the Self-Defense Forces' intelligence-gathering mission in the Middle East. The government hopes the information will help safeguard commercial ships at a time of regional tension.
Kono discussed the mission in an exclusive interview with NHK World on Thursday.