Takeshi Hakamada, CEO of Ispace Inc., describes the outcome of an attempted Moon landing by its vehicle in remarks at the National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation in Tokyo on April 26, 2023. (Kyodo)

TOKYO - A Japanese space startup said its lander likely crashed on the Moon's surface following a touchdown attempt on Wednesday, dashing its hopes of becoming the world's first private company to successfully land spacecraft on the lunar surface.