In 2003, the Hayabusa Project was started by Japanese scientists. One of its goals was to collect soil samples on an asteroid named Itokawa. Such samples could help solve the mysteries of the solar system’s origin. But its most important goal is to develop ion engines for space exploration. Gases and liquids are used for most rocket engines, while ion engines used electric field which is so weak. However, if ion engines are used in space, that weak energy can become powerful because there is no gravity and air resistance.

Another goal is to develop an autonomous navigation system. Radio signal takes 16 minutes to travel the distance between the Earth and Itokawa. Hayabusa could not wait for commands during the emergency, so it had to decide on its own.

The goals became even more difficult because of Itokawa’s small size. Hayabusa tried twice before successfully landing and collecting soil samples. However, when headed home, it had fuel and battery problems which the team were able to solve. But things got worse when communication with Hayabusa was cut off.

Japan has four seasons that have different temperatures. Spring is one of the most popular seasons. It begins in March and ends in May. The average weather temperature in spring is 13 degrees Celsius. Meanwhile, the summer season in Japan is from June to August. The weather during this season is usually too hot. There are a lot of festivals that people enjoy during this time of the year. On the other hand, one of the most beautiful seasons in Japan is autumn. It is the time of the year when trees turn red and yellow. The weather temperature in this season is almost the same with spring. Moreover, the coldest temperature in Japan is usually felt in January. During this season, people may skate, ski, and watch the Snow Festival.

Biodiversity is essential to maintain life on Earth. However, it is being threatened which could make people, animals, and plants impossible to survive. An example that shows the cause-and-effect relationships in nature is the island of Yakushima. It is covered with various plants, mountains, and a dense forest that is home to many endangered animals. Every year, Yakushima receives huge amounts of rainfall. The residents even joke that it rains “35 days a month.” However, Yakushima’s biodiversity is being threatened and one of the reasons is the damage caused by the yakushika, a native animal of Yakushima and the smallest deer in Japan. Over 16,000 yakushika move around in herds to eat plants which causes vegetation to disappear.

Nowadays, modern technology enables people to live comfortably and do things accurately. One of the countries that make continuous contributions to modern technology around the world is Japan. Recently, a Japanese company released vending machines that could charge phones for free. These vending machines, which provide a USB port, could charge phones for up to 5 minutes. Some vending machines also offer other services aside from the usual beverages and snacks. For example, some vending machines have cameras that enable people to take pictures and screens that display important or emergency public information in case of disasters.

In the future, it is predicted that phones could be charged just by putting them near plants or trees. It aims to protect forests as they could become the main source of energy in the future. This forecast is not impossible to turn into reality. Through research, experts find out that plants’ photosynthesis, which is the process of transforming light energy into chemical energy, could generate electricity. More and more modern ideas are being predicted and made possible through technology.

Nowadays, many people have been taking their health for granted. They often eat unhealthy food and do not get regular exercise. Keeping your body healthy is essential as it keeps you away from serious conditions like heart disease, stroke, and cancer.

There are many ways to keep the body healthy. Some of which are by eating healthy food, getting regular exercise, and sleeping early. First, let us talk about the importance of eating healthy food. People should always watch their diet. Their meals should be able to provide the right amount of energy and nutrients that their bodies need. Meanwhile, some people prefer doing regular exercise to eating healthy meals. Regular exercise helps people to stay healthy to prevent diseases. Being active for at least 30 minutes per day could already make a huge difference. In addition to that, people who often lack sleep are usually less productive. Also, good quality and a decent amount of sleep could help people strengthen their immune system that is important to help their body stay away from the risk of having different diseases.

Japan has been one of the top destinations for many tourists around the world. It is famous for its traditional places that have a significant role in Japanese culture. On the other hand, people have also been enjoying the country’s modern buildings and places. It is also home for popular Japanese dishes such as sushi, tempura, and the likes.

Nowadays, many people have been visiting Sapporo. It is famous for its cold weather where people can enjoy skiing and join the Sapporo Snow Festival. Meanwhile, Tokyo is a perfect place to enjoy both modern and traditional places. It is not only a place for tall buildings but also for traditional places such as temples. In addition to that, people could spend their time with nature by visiting parks and the highest mountain in the country which is Mount Fuji.

However, tourism in Japan has been one of the causes of environmental problems. Some tourists do not follow proper waste management. It is important in Japan to separate those recyclable materials from other kinds of trash.