记者手记｜探访日本的“宇宙小镇”

Core Insights - The article highlights the development of Minami-Kyushu Town as Japan's "Space Town," focusing on its initiatives to promote space education and the local economy through space-related activities [1][2]. Group 1: Space Economy and Education Initiatives - The HTV-X cargo spacecraft was launched on October 26, marking a significant event for the international space station and drawing attention to Tanegashima Island, where Minami-Kyushu Town is located [1]. - The local government has established programs such as "Mobile Space Classrooms" and a "Space Study Abroad" system to encourage youth engagement in aerospace [1][2]. - The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) conducts regular educational activities in local schools, with five planned for the 2025 fiscal year [1]. Group 2: Space Study Abroad Program - Minami-Kyushu Town has a unique "Space Study Abroad" program established in 1995, recruiting around 50 students annually from across Japan to study in local schools for one year [2]. - Since its inception, 1,078 students have participated in the program, with an increasing number of families relocating to Minami-Kyushu Town after their children complete the program [2]. Group 3: Scholarships and Community Engagement - Starting in the 2025 fiscal year, Minami-Kyushu Town will introduce a "Space Town" scholarship program, offering interest-free loans to local high school, vocational, and university students who return to the town after graduation [2]. - The town organizes various space-themed events, including the Tanegashima Space Arts Festival and kite design competitions, to foster community involvement and interest in space [2][3].