JAXA Astronaut Corps

The first Japanese astronauts were chosen by NASDA, the predecessor to JAXA, in 1985 to train as International Mission Specialists in the Space Shuttle program.

The first Japanese citizen to fly in space was Toyohiro Akiyama, a journalist sponsored by TBS, who flew on the Soviet Soyuz TM-11 in December 1990. He spent more than seven days in space on the Mir space station, in what the Soviets called their first commercial spaceflight which allowed them to earn $14 million.

The first member of the Japanese Astronaut Corps to fly was Mamoru Mohri aboard STS-47 in 1992.

On 1 October 2003, three organizations were merged to form the new JAXA: Japan's Institute of Space and Astronautical Science (ISAS), the National Aerospace Laboratory of Japan (NAL), and National Space Development Agency of Japan (NASDA). JAXA was formed as an Independent Administrative Institution administered by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) and the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC).[1]

The Astronauts Corps is one of the main divisions within JAXA. There are seven active astronauts in the Corps and four former astronauts, all of whom have gone into space. Astronaut Kimiya Yui serves as the head of the corps.

JAXA generally recruits astronauts who have degrees as scientists, engineers and/or medical doctors. In addition to being Japanese citizens or residents, candidates must meet certain physical standards (including height, weight, hearing and visual acuity), educational requirements, and be fluent in English.

• 1985 NASDA Group
• 1992 NASDA Group
• 1996 NASDA Group
• 1999 NASDA Group
• 2009 JAXA Group

• Canadian Astronaut Corps
• European Astronaut Corps
• NASA Astronaut Corps
• List of astronauts by selection
• Human spaceflight
• History of spaceflight

• JAXA Astronaut Corps