Since 1975
  • facebook
  • twitter
  • Home
  • Japan
  • Japan aiming to produce food in space for long stays

Japan aiming to produce food in space for long stays

The Japanese government also hopes to use technologies made in space for resolving issues on Earth, such as food shortages. (AFP)
The Japanese government also hopes to use technologies made in space for resolving issues on Earth, such as food shortages. (AFP)
Short Url:
06 Oct 2021 05:10:03 GMT9
06 Oct 2021 05:10:03 GMT9

TOKYO: Japan’s agriculture ministry aims to establish a system with which food can be produced and supplied stably in space, in preparation for extended trips for the exploration of the Moon and Mars.

The ministry will provide financial support of 310 million yen in fiscal 2021 to consortiums of universities, companies and other organizations researching and developing such systems.

The Japanese government also hopes to use technologies made in space for resolving issues on Earth, such as food shortages.

The project is part of the Strategic Program for Accelerating Research, Development and Utilization of Space Technology, which is led by the Cabinet Office.

Six consortiums have already applied to join the program. The government will decide which consortium to back after Wednesday’s screening.

The space market is expected to grow from around 40 trillion yen in 2018 to some 100 trillion yen in 2040.

Since living in space for years may be possible if exploration makes progress, the ministry concluded that there is a need to procure food outside Earth.

With the development of space technologies accelerating worldwide, Japan hopes to lead in the field of food.

One of the challenges for the ministry’s project is to secure on a sustainable basis almost all of the nutritional elements needed for four or more people staying in space.

Due to the need to produce food efficiently in limited areas, the ministry has called for consortiums to develop cultivation technologies that can maximize production capacity as well as a high-standard resources-recycling supply system.

Another important task is to create a mechanism that would contribute to maintaining and improving the quality of life through food during long stays in space.

“We hope (the project) will go beyond research and the effects (its achievements) will be applied to global challenges, such as achieving the SDGs,” a ministry official said, referring to the 17 Sustainable Development Goals set by the United Nations to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all.

JIJI Press

topics
Most Popular
Recommended

return to top