As the new space race ramps up, the Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency announced a pivotal step in the hunt for evidence of life on Mars, which, if executed, means Japan could attain Martian soil samples and have the opportunity to study those samples for signs of life years before the U.S. and China. Stay Connected Forbes on Facebook: http://fb.com/forbes Forbes Video on Twitter: / forbes Forbes Video on Instagram: / forbes More From Forbes: http://forbes.com