[Breaking News]Astronaut Yui meets press

TOKYO, Japan, April 9 Kyodo - Japanese astronaut Kimiya Yui poses for a photo at the end of a press conference in Tokyo on April 9, 2026, held after returning to Earth in January following a five-month mission at the International Space Station. (Kyodo)

Astronaut Yui meets press

Astronaut Yui meets press

Japanese astronaut Kimiya Yui poses for a photo at the end of a press conference in Tokyo on April 9, 2026, held after returning to Earth in January following a five-month mission at the International Space Station.

Astronaut Yui meets press

Astronaut Yui meets press

Japanese astronaut Kimiya Yui poses for a photo at the end of a press conference in Tokyo on April 9, 2026, held after returning to Earth in January following a five-month mission at the International Space Station.

Astronaut Yui meets press

Astronaut Yui meets press

Japanese astronaut Kimiya Yui speaks during a press conference in Tokyo on April 9, 2026, held after returning to Earth in January following a five-month mission at the International Space Station.

Astronaut Yui meets press

Astronaut Yui meets press

Japanese astronaut Kimiya Yui speaks during a press conference in Tokyo on April 9, 2026, held after returning to Earth in January following a five-month mission at the International Space Station.

Astronaut Yui meets press

Astronaut Yui meets press

Japanese astronaut Kimiya Yui speaks during a press conference in Tokyo on April 9, 2026, held after returning to Earth in January following a five-month mission at the International Space Station.

Astronaut Yui meets press

Astronaut Yui meets press

Japanese astronaut Kimiya Yui speaks during a press conference in Tokyo on April 9, 2026, held after returning to Earth in January following a five-month mission at the International Space Station.

Astronaut Yui meets press

Astronaut Yui meets press

Japanese astronaut Kimiya Yui speaks during a press conference in Tokyo on April 9, 2026, held after returning to Earth in January following a five-month mission at the International Space Station.

Astronaut Furukawa to leave JAXA

Astronaut Furukawa to leave JAXA

Japanese astronaut Satoshi Furukawa, 61, receives a bouquet at the end of a press conference in Tokyo on March 30, 2026, after announcing he will leave the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency the next day. A qualified doctor, Furukawa undertook two long-term missions at the International Space Station -- in 2011 and from 2023 to 2024 -- while employed by JAXA.

Astronaut Furukawa to leave JAXA

Astronaut Furukawa to leave JAXA

Japanese astronaut Satoshi Furukawa, 61, holds a press conference in Tokyo on March 30, 2026, announcing he will leave the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency the next day. A qualified doctor, Furukawa undertook two long-term missions at the International Space Station -- in 2011 and from 2023 to 2024 -- while employed by JAXA.

[Breaking News]Astronaut Suwa to fly to ISS possibly in 2027

TOKYO, Japan, Jan. 9 Kyodo - Japanese astronaut Makoto Suwa holds a news conference in Tokyo on Jan. 9, 2026, after the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency said he will fly to the International Space Station, possibly in 2027, for a long-term mission. (Kyodo)

Astronaut Suwa to fly to ISS possibly in 2027

Astronaut Suwa to fly to ISS possibly in 2027

Japanese astronaut Makoto Suwa poses during a news conference in Tokyo on Jan. 9, 2026, after the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency said he will fly to the International Space Station, possibly in 2027, for a long-term mission.

Astronaut Suwa to fly to ISS possibly in 2027

Astronaut Suwa to fly to ISS possibly in 2027

Japanese astronaut Makoto Suwa poses during a news conference in Tokyo on Jan. 9, 2026, after the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency said he will fly to the International Space Station, possibly in 2027, for a long-term mission.

Astronaut Suwa to fly to ISS possibly in 2027

Astronaut Suwa to fly to ISS possibly in 2027

Japanese astronaut Makoto Suwa holds a news conference in Tokyo on Jan. 9, 2026, after the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency said he will fly to the International Space Station, possibly in 2027, for a long-term mission.

Astronaut Suwa to fly to ISS possibly in 2027

Astronaut Suwa to fly to ISS possibly in 2027

Japanese astronaut Makoto Suwa holds a news conference in Tokyo on Jan. 9, 2026, after the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency said he will fly to the International Space Station, possibly in 2027, for a long-term mission.

Astronaut Suwa to fly to ISS possibly in 2027

Astronaut Suwa to fly to ISS possibly in 2027

Japanese astronaut Makoto Suwa holds a news conference in Tokyo on Jan. 9, 2026, after the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency said he will fly to the International Space Station, possibly in 2027, for a long-term mission.

Japanese astronauts

Japanese astronauts

Takuya Onishi (lower R) communicates with fellow Japanese astronaut Kimiya Yui (on screen), currently on a six-month mission at the International Space Station, during an event in Tokyo on Nov. 14, 2025.

Astronaut Onishi meets press in Tokyo

TOKYO, Japan, Oct. 3 Kyodo - Japanese astronaut Takuya Onishi holds a press conference in Tokyo on Oct. 3, 2025, following rehabilitation in the United States after his five-month space mission. Onishi returned to the earth in August after serving as commander of the International Space Station. (Kyodo)

Astronaut Onishi meets press in Tokyo

Astronaut Onishi meets press in Tokyo

Japanese astronaut Takuya Onishi holds a press conference in Tokyo on Oct. 3, 2025, following rehabilitation in the United States after his five-month space mission. Onishi returned to the earth in August after serving as commander of the International Space Station.

Astronaut Onishi meets press in Tokyo

Astronaut Onishi meets press in Tokyo

Japanese astronaut Takuya Onishi holds a press conference in Tokyo on Oct. 3, 2025, following rehabilitation in the United States after his five-month space mission. Onishi returned to the earth in August after serving as commander of the International Space Station.

Astronaut Onishi meets press in Tokyo

Astronaut Onishi meets press in Tokyo

Japanese astronaut Takuya Onishi holds a press conference in Tokyo on Oct. 3, 2025, following rehabilitation in the United States after his five-month space mission. Onishi returned to the earth in August after serving as commander of the International Space Station.

Astronaut Onishi meets press in Tokyo

Astronaut Onishi meets press in Tokyo

Japanese astronaut Takuya Onishi holds a press conference in Tokyo on Oct. 3, 2025, following rehabilitation in the United States after his five-month space mission. Onishi returned to the earth in August after serving as commander of the International Space Station.

SpaceX crew launch

SpaceX crew launch

Japanese astronaut Kimiya Yui waves at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida, on Aug. 1, 2025, before a planned liftoff on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket for a mission at the International Space Station.

SpaceX crew launch

SpaceX crew launch

Japanese astronaut Kimiya Yui waves at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida, on Aug. 1, 2025, before a planned liftoff on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket for a mission at the International Space Station.

Space event at Osaka expo

Space event at Osaka expo

Japanese astronaut Takuya Onishi, now on a half-year mission aboard the International Space Station, is projected on a screen at the World Exposition in Osaka during an event connecting the expo venue with the ISS on July 10, 2025.

Space event at Osaka expo

Space event at Osaka expo

Japanese astronaut Takuya Onishi, now on a half-year mission aboard the International Space Station, is projected on a screen at the World Exposition in Osaka during an event connecting the expo venue with the ISS on July 10, 2025.

Space event at Osaka expo

Space event at Osaka expo

Japanese astronaut Naoko Yamazaki (C) attends an event at the World Exposition in Osaka on July 10, 2025, connecting the expo venue with the International Space Station.

Online talks between PM Ishiba and astronaut Onishi

Online talks between PM Ishiba and astronaut Onishi

Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba (C) talks from his official residence in Tokyo on June 30, 2025, with Japanese astronaut Takuya Onishi (on screens), who is aboard the International Space Station on a half-year mission. (Pool photo)

Online talks between PM Ishiba and astronaut Onishi

Online talks between PM Ishiba and astronaut Onishi

Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba (R) talks from his official residence in Tokyo on June 30, 2025, with Japanese astronaut Takuya Onishi (on screen), who is aboard the International Space Station on a half-year mission. (Pool photo)

Astronaut Yui meets press ahead of ISS mission

Astronaut Yui meets press ahead of ISS mission

Japanese astronaut Kimiya Yui holds a press conference in Tokyo on June 4, 2025, ahead of his six-month mission at the International Space Station from July at the earliest.

Japanese astronaut Onishi

Japanese astronaut Onishi

Japanese astronaut Takuya Onishi gives an interview in Tokyo on Nov. 28, 2024. The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency announced on Dec. 2 that he will serve as commander at the International Space Station when he heads to the ISS aboard SpaceX's Crew Dragon capsule in February 2025 at the earliest, becoming the third Japanese to assume the post.

Japanese astronaut Onishi

Japanese astronaut Onishi

Japanese astronaut Takuya Onishi gives an interview in Tokyo on Nov. 28, 2024. The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency announced on Dec. 2 that he will serve as commander at the International Space Station when he heads to the ISS aboard SpaceX's Crew Dragon capsule in February 2025 at the earliest, becoming the third Japanese to assume the post.

Japanese astronaut Onishi

Japanese astronaut Onishi

Japanese astronaut Takuya Onishi gives an interview in Tokyo on Nov. 28, 2024. The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency announced on Dec. 2 that he will serve as commander at the International Space Station when he heads to the ISS aboard SpaceX's Crew Dragon capsule in February 2025 at the earliest, becoming the third Japanese to assume the post.

Japanese astronaut Onishi to assume ISS commander

Japanese astronaut Onishi to assume ISS commander

Japanese astronaut Takuya Onishi gives an interview in Tokyo on Nov. 28, 2024. The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency announced on Dec. 2 that he will serve as commander at the International Space Station when he heads to the ISS aboard SpaceX's Crew Dragon capsule in February 2025 at the earliest, becoming the third Japanese to assume the post.

Japanese astronaut Onishi

TOKYO, Japan, Nov. 27 Kyodo - Japanese astronaut Takuya Onishi poses for photos after a press conference at the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency office in Tokyo on Nov. 27, 2024. Onishi will be dispatched to the International Space Station for six months as early as February 2025 for various tasks including science experiments. (Kyodo)

Japanese astronaut Onishi

Japanese astronaut Onishi

Japanese astronaut Takuya Onishi poses for photos after a press conference at the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency office in Tokyo on Nov. 27, 2024. Onishi will be dispatched to the International Space Station for six months as early as February 2025 for various tasks including science experiments.

Japanese astronaut Onishi

Japanese astronaut Onishi

Japanese astronaut Takuya Onishi speaks at a press conference at the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency office in Tokyo on Nov. 27, 2024. Onishi will be dispatched to the International Space Station for six months as early as February 2025 for various tasks including science experiments.

Japanese astronaut Onishi

Japanese astronaut Onishi

Japanese astronaut Takuya Onishi speaks at a press conference at the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency office in Tokyo on Nov. 27, 2024. Onishi will be dispatched to the International Space Station for six months as early as February 2025 for various tasks including science experiments.

Japan imperial couple at museum

Japan imperial couple at museum

Japanese Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako are guided by Naoko Yamazaki(L) , a former Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency astronaut, at the Gifu Kakamigahara Air and Space Museum in Kakamigahara, Gifu Prefecture, on Oct. 15, 2024.

Japan astronaut Furukawa

Japan astronaut Furukawa

Japanese astronaut Satoshi Furukawa poses for photo in Tokyo on June 18, 2024.

Japan astronaut Furukawa

Japan astronaut Furukawa

Japanese astronaut Satoshi Furukawa gives an interview in Tokyo on June 18, 2024.

World's 1st wooden satellite

Takao Doi, a Japanese astronaut and a program-specific professor at Kyoto University, speaks about the world's first-ever wooden satellite "LignoSat" during an interview in Kyoto, western Japan, on May 28, 2024. Scientists at Kyoto University and Tokyo-based wood products company Sumitomo Forestry Co. developed the spacecraft, a cube with 10-centimeter sides and weighing 1 kilogram.(Kyodo)

World's 1st wooden satellite

World's 1st wooden satellite

Takao Doi, a Japanese astronaut and a program-specific professor at Kyoto University, speaks about the world's first-ever wooden satellite "LignoSat" during an interview in Kyoto, western Japan, on May 28, 2024. Scientists at Kyoto University and Tokyo-based wood products company Sumitomo Forestry Co. developed the spacecraft, a cube with 10-centimeter sides and weighing 1 kilogram.

World's 1st wooden satellite

World's 1st wooden satellite

Takao Doi, a Japanese astronaut and a program-specific professor at Kyoto University, speaks about the world's first-ever wooden satellite "LignoSat" during an interview in Kyoto, western Japan, on May 28, 2024. Scientists at Kyoto University and Tokyo-based wood products company Sumitomo Forestry Co. developed the spacecraft, a cube with 10-centimeter sides and weighing 1 kilogram.

Astronaut Noguchi in Kyoto

Astronaut Noguchi in Kyoto

Japanese astronaut Soichi Noguchi makes a speech at Ritsumeikan University in Kyoto, western Japan, on May 23, 2024.

[Breaking News]Japanese astronaut Wakata

TOKYO, Japan, March 29 Kyodo -Japanese astronaut Koichi Wakata attends a press conference in Tokyo on March 29, 2024. The 60-year-old, who completed five space missions, the most of any Japanese astronaut, will retire from the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency at the end of March. (Kyodo)

Japanese astronaut Wakata

Japanese astronaut Wakata

Japanese astronaut Koichi Wakata attends a press conference in Tokyo on March 29, 2024. The 60-year-old, who completed five space missions, the most of any Japanese astronaut, will retire from the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency at the end of March.

Japanese astronaut Wakata

Japanese astronaut Wakata

Japanese astronaut Koichi Wakata attends a press conference in Tokyo on March 29, 2024. The 60-year-old, who completed five space missions, the most of any Japanese astronaut, will retire from the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency at the end of March.

Japanese astronaut Wakata

Japanese astronaut Wakata

Japanese astronaut Koichi Wakata attends a press conference in Tokyo on March 29, 2024. The 60-year-old, who completed five space missions, the most of any Japanese astronaut, will retire from the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency at the end of March.

Japan's Furukawa ahead of Crew-7 launch

Japan's Furukawa ahead of Crew-7 launch

Japanese astronaut Satoshi Furukawa waves on Aug. 26, 2023, as he prepares to board a SpaceX Dragon craft which is scheduled to be launched from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida later in the day. Furukawa and three others will fly to the International Space Station on the Crew-7 mission.