Japan’s Science Minister, Masahito Moriyama, announced plans to travel to the United States to finalize a cooperation deal with NASA for the Artemis program.

This U.S.-led initiative aims to send astronauts to the moon in 2026, marking the first such mission in over 50 years.

The agreement is expected to include provisions for Japanese astronauts to join the mission. The meeting coincides with a summit between Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and U.S. President Joe Biden.

Japan is also contributing a lunar rover for surface exploration, spearheaded by Toyota, as well as transporting supplies to the lunar outpost Gateway, Mainichi reported.

The Artemis program not only aims to return humans to the moon but also serves as a stepping stone for future Mars exploration.

Written by B.C. Begley