The LEV-1 Team Receives the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Award for Science and Technology (Development Category)

The LEV-1 team, one of the predecessor projects of the MS Kunii Project, received the FY2026 Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Award for Science and Technology (Development Category).

Award Title: FY2026 Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Award for Science and Technology (Development Category)
Achievement Title: Development of an Ultra-Compact Robot that Explored the Lunar Surface for the First Time in Japan
Announcement Date: April 7, 2026 (Tuesday)
Award Date: April 15, 2026 (Wednesday)

Award Recipients:
YOSHIMITSU Tetsuo — Professor, Institute of Space and Astronautical Science, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA)
OTSUKI Masatsugu — Associate Professor, Institute of Space and Astronautical Science, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA)
TOMIKI Asushi — Associate Professor, Institute of Space and Astronautical Science, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA)
YOSHIKAWA Kento — Researcher, Research and Development Directorate, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA)
KUNII Yasuharu — Professor, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Chuo University

<Acceptance Remarks by Dr. KUNII, a project manager of MS KUNII Project>
I am truly honored and delighted to receive this prestigious award. I would also like to express my sincere gratitude to JAXA for nominating me. At the same time, I feel a renewed sense of responsibility, and I am deeply thankful for the support and cooperation that so many people have provided throughout this journey.
The achievements related to the lunar exploration robot recognized by this award could never have been accomplished by one person alone. I believe this is a valuable accomplishment shared with all those who have been involved.
A quarter of a century has passed since I first set my sights on robotic lunar exploration. While it is deeply moving to have achieved this result, I also find myself reflecting on why it took so long. I sometimes wonder whether Japan’s international position and circumstances might have been different had we been able to send the robot to the Moon at an earlier stage.
Nevertheless, I am convinced that the technologies that led to this award will help open the door to the next era. Looking ahead five or ten years, I hope to continue research and development together with my colleagues and teammates.