Indoor plant factories are gaining popularity in Japan, offering a sustainable and controlled solution for vegetable production amidst rising concerns about climate change and food security. These facilities, often located in urban areas, utilize artificial lighting and carefully controlled environments to cultivate vegetables independent of weather conditions, ensuring a consistent supply and quality.
Tomoko Yoshino, president of Rengo, the nation's largest labor union, urged the LDP to pass legislation allowing married couples to have separate surnames during the party's annual convention. This call for change comes as the issue gains increasing public support, putting pressure on the LDP to address the long-standing debate.
The rollout of an AI system designed to help child welfare centers identify abusive situations has been postponed due to concerns about its accuracy and reliability. The AI frequently missed significant signs of severe abuse during trials, prompting the Children and Families Agency to delay its implementation.
Japan's space agency, JAXA, plans to increase the launch frequency of its H3 rocket to at least seven times a year, aiming for one-month intervals between launches. This ambitious goal requires upgrades at the Tanegashima Space Center, including additional liquid oxygen storage tanks and assembly buildings, with the aim of strengthening Japan's international competitiveness in the space industry.
Intuitive Machines' Athena lander successfully touched down on the Moon on Thursday, March 6, 2025, but encountered difficulties during its final approach, leading to uncertainty about its orientation. Despite the challenges, the mission was not considered a complete failure, and controllers were working to assess the situation and determine whether the lander's scientific instruments could still be deployed.