In mid-January 2025, less than 3 months before the start of the Expo, the staff at the site for producing space tank benches finally entered the finishing phase, including the acrylic processing of the protruding parts and the attachment of outdoor sheets. A lot of people ranging from children to adults will visit the venue of the Expo, so they will take thoroughgoing measures for safety. On the other hand, they redesigned the details of experience-based evens, and exchanged opinions on a daily basis for including an experience plan that would motivate people to have a dream about space in addition to the already determined open factory events and tours around eastern Hokkaido.
  In order to finalize their plans, they visited Taiki Town, from which the project originated, for study in cooperation with a travel agency that has handled plentiful space-related tours. They came up with an idea of a program in which visitors can enjoy crafting and launching a plastic bottle rocket while feeling the charm of a vigorous town that aims to get closer to space by visiting a facility for displaying actual small-sized rockets, a rocket launch site, a park with an aerospace experiment station, etc.
  With the catch phrase “Everyone can reach space,” they have pushed forward with “&SPACE PROJECT” for creating a new industry in Hokkaido. They started receiving many inquiries from enterprises that agreed with the purpose of the project. In this project, they hope to provide individuals, especially children, with opportunities to feel close to space. Toshinai, et al. expect that the Expo will facilitate it. Project members, including Toshinai, spent their early childhood in the age where many media, including TV programs and magazines, covered space-related topics about aliens, UFOs, black holes, etc. He said, “Thanks to this project, we felt closer to space for which we had a longing, and got excited again at limitless possibilities. I hope that kids will enjoy the throbbing moment.”
  As private enterprises have launched space-related business one after another, we can envision a future in which space travel will be common. Following the first phase of &SPACE PROJECT where furniture is created from space-related materials, they are racking their brains to determine activities in the second and third phases based in Hokkaido, including the support for connecting enterprises that are interested in the space industry. He said, “We often chat, suggesting some ideas such as the development of popular gifts for space travel, for making the space industry thrive with various approaches.” Toshinai, et al. continue passionate endeavors while believing in a future in which anyone will feel close to space and be able to be connected to space enjoyably.

Mr. Kazunori Toshinai, Representative of 11 Inc.

Observation deck of Kushiro Marshland,
 where visitors can appreciate the magnificent nature of eastern Hokkaido