Hyperdrive
Firms From Sony to Noodle Maker Urge Japan to Pursue Moon Business
- A new lobby group is pushing for more government cooperation
- Group members include big names like Sony, top trading houses
Photographer: Kazuhiro Nogi/AFP/Getty Images
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Japan needs to take commercial development of the moon more seriously if the country is to remain competitive in the budding space economy. That’s the message to the government from a group of Japanese companies ranging from Sony Corp. and top trading houses to an instant noodle maker.
The Lunar Industry Vision Council on Tuesday submitted a white paper to Shinji Inoue, Japan’s minister in charge of space policy, urging closer cooperation between the state and the private sector. The document calls for incentives to boost investment in space ventures, detailed regulations for exploitation of off-planet resources and greater access for companies to lunar missions.