TOKYO Japan will provide a 12 billion yen ($80 million) subsidy for moon exploration startup ispace, industry minister Yasutoshi Nishimura said on Friday.

Tokyo-based ispace aims to launch its second moon lander next year following its failed first mission in April this year.

($1 = 149.8700 yen)

(Reporting by Kantaro Komiya; Editing by Christopher Cushing)