Kagoshima, Japan, Feb. 19 (Xinhua) -- Close-up丨Feel the "rocket economy" in Tanegashima Island, Japan
Xinhua News Agency reporter Yang Guang and Li Guangzheng.
Japan's new-generation main launch vehicle H3 (hereinafter referred to as Test 2) lifted off from the Tanegashima Space Center in Kagoshima Prefecture in southern Japan on the 17th, attracting people from all over Japan to launch on the spot. The reporter found that the "rocket economy" not only drives investment in Tanegashima infrastructure and other fields, but also attracts a large number of tourists to visit every year, and is gradually developing into a characteristic industry of Tanegashima.
Tanegashima is located in the southern part of Kagoshima Prefecture and covers an area of about 445 square kilometers. According to the latest data released by Japan** and the Agency for the Promotion of Agriculture, Tanegashima's total population has been declining over the past few decades, from a peak of 6 in 1960450,000 decreased to 2690,000 people. In the local industrial structure, the first.
I. The proportion of the secondary and tertiary industries is about % and 70% respectively, of which the proportion of the primary industry is much higher than 1The national average of 3% is 3%.
The reporter set off from Tanegashima Airport all the way south, and saw large sugar cane fields along the way. It is understood that sugarcane is an important crop in Tanegashima, but due to factors such as the aging of the agricultural population and changes in the natural environment, the output of sugarcane tends to decrease.
Under these conditions, Tanegashima Space Center, one of the island's most well-known architectural and sightseeing spots, has been met with the high expectations of local residents. Established in 1969, the center is Japan's largest space research center and space launch center. Since the Japanese Diet passed a bill in 2016 to allow private companies to participate more broadly in space business activities, the role of the "rocket economy" in driving Tanegashima's local economy has gradually emerged.
Experts believe that the contribution of the "rocket economy" to Tanegashima is reflected in both economic and social benefits. Among them, the economic benefits mainly include the construction of infrastructure such as rocket launch sites, the use of communication data, satellite research and manufacturing, space education activities and peripheral product development. The social benefits include talent training, academic research, regional image promotion, introduction of space technology, and comprehensive environmental improvement. According to data released by the Japan Institute of Economic Research last year, in 2021, direct orders from the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) led to an increase in Tanegashima's income by 6.7 billion yen (about 150 yen per dollar) and 238 new jobs. The rocket launch event attracts visitors about 360,000 people, about 10 business visitors50,000 people, Tanegashima increased its income by 4.9 billion yen and created 498 new jobs.
Nowadays, Tanegashima is full of "space elements". In the Emi-no-Eno Observatory Park, one of the most advanced rocket launch sites, the men's and women's toilet signs are designed to look like astronauts. Terama, a local resident, said that when people think of Tanegashima now, they think of rockets, and "Tanegashima has become a rocket launch island."
The launch of Test 2 has set Tanegashima on fire in the hotels, guesthouses, flights, ferries, car rentals, and restaurants market. About half a month ago, the reporter began to book hotels and B&B rooms in Tanegashima on major trips in Japan, and paid attention to the fact that it was hard to find a room in the days before and after the rocket launch.
Early in the morning of the 17th, the parking lot of Canggu Park, one of the first rocket launch sites, was basically full, and the staff began to divide the park lawn as a temporary parking lot. In addition to the "Kagoshima" license plate, the reporter also saw vehicles from Fukuoka, Nagasaki, Tokushima, Wakayama, Tokyo, Miyagi, Sapporo and other parts of Japan. Inoue had come from Osaka on a special trip, and since he couldn't rent a car or book a hotel, he had to take a bus to Tanegashima and had to spend the night in Hase Park that night.
There is a row of temporary food and beverage stalls on the lawn not far from the ** point, selling all kinds of food and drink. In front of the booth of the "Minami Seed Town Merchant Union", the staff member Shitang told reporters that they would come here to set up a stall every time the rocket was launched. "The rocket launch attracts many tourists to Tanegashima and is a great sales opportunity. ”
On the 17th, Minamitane-cho, where Tanegashima Space Center is located, also presented free folders and commemorative badges with rocket launches** to the audience, hoping to make space education and publicity activities a new growth point for the extension of the "rocket economy" by distributing souvenirs and exploring the establishment of the "Tanegashima Space School" in the local area.
In addition, the development of rocket-themed merchandise has become an important part of Tanegashima's "rocket economy", such as rocket-shaped key chains, refrigerator magnets, specialty foods such as "space rice balls" made according to the method certified by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, and rocket-themed shochu, all of which are popular with tourists.