Japan’s Moon Mission

From a journalist friend in Japan, this is what he claims to be a quote off Japan’s space agency website (I can’t find the original source and a link from anyone diligent enough to find it would be most welcome.) This is how Japan is justifing the launch of a new moon probe Lunar-A (a huge waste of money if ever there was one):

The Japanese have a long tradition of affection for the moon, as indicated by the many works of art and literature on the subject. Therefore it is very meaningful, nationally and internationally, to undertake this lunar exploration mission—to unravel the mystery of lunar origins and evolution, and also to build the foundations for future utilization of lunar resources.

At least we’re a little more honest in the US: “this is a matter of national pride… and the Chinese are trying to beat us to it!”