article_snippet.sent: The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), divulged the plan to an expert panel, including members of the cabinet and the Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Ministry on Monday.
article_snippet.sent: This is an initial step and a lot of procedures are still ahead before the plan is formally approved," a JAXA spokesperson told reporters.
article_snippet.sent: Japanese media estimates that the mission will cost in the region of ¥10 billion to ¥15 billion ($83.4 million - $125 million).
article_snippet.sent: JAXA spokesperson Chihito Onda confirmed to CNN that this estimate is realistic.
article_snippet.sent: CNN's Junko Ogura contributed to this report.