posted 11-23-2021 08:55 PM               

About recruitment of 2021 astronaut candidates

The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) has announced that the activities of Japanese astronauts will be expanded to the International Space Station (ISS), the Japanese Experiment Module "Kibo," the lunar orbiting manned base "Gateway" and the surface of the moon. Assuming, we are looking for new astronaut candidates as follows.

We are waiting for applications from various people who want to contribute to humankind and society through the important role of astronauts who create the future.

• Application acceptance period: From December 20, 2021 (Monday) to March 4, 2022 (Friday)

• Number of hires: Some people

• Application requirements: Posted on the special site for recruiting astronaut candidates

• Selection result announcement: The final selection results will be announced around February 2023.

posted 04-07-2022 08:48 AM               

About the recruitment results of 2021 astronaut candidates

The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) is recruiting new candidates for Japanese astronauts conducting activities on the International Space Station (ISS), the Japanese Experiment Module "Kibo," the lunar manned base "Gateway" and on the lunar surface. The deadline for recruitment was noon on Monday, April 4, 2022. We are pleased to inform you that we have received the final application count as shown below.

Total number of applications: 4,127

• The total number of applications is the highest ever (about 4.3 times the previous highest of 963)

• 3,204 males (77.6%), 919 females (22.3%), and 4 other selected people (0.1%)

Future schedule

The selection English test will be held on May 8th (Sunday), and the general liberal arts test will be held on May 29th (Sunday) only for those who have passed the English test.

Please see the application guidelines for the schedule after the first selection.

Breakdown of recruitment results by age group

• 20s or younger: 811 people (19.7%)
  
• 30s: 1,850 people (44.8%)
  
• 40s: 973 people (23.6%)
  
• 50s: 424 people (10.3%)
  
• 60s and over: 69 people (1.7%)

(Since the composition ratio is rounded to the first decimal place, the total is not necessarily 100.)

posted 12-24-2022 03:12 PM               

2021 Astronaut Candidate Second Selection Results

The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) conducted the second selection test on 50 astronaut candidates who passed the first selection, and decided the successful candidates as follows.

Number of successful applicants for the second selection: 10

• 8 men (80%), 2 women (20%)

Third selection: January-February 2023

Astronaut Candidates Breakdown by age group

• Under 20s: 1 person
  
• 30's: 7 people
  
• 40's: 2 people
  
• 50's: 0 people
  
• Over 60's: 0 people

posted 02-28-2023 01:10 PM               

JAXA selects two astronaut candidates for future flights to the moon

Japan has selected its first new astronaut candidates in more than 13 years in preparation for future missions to the moon with NASA's Artemis program.

Hiroshi Yamakawa, president of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), named Makoto Suwa, a 46-year-old risk reduction specialist at the World Bank, and Ayu Yoneda, a 28-year-old surgeon working for the Japanese Red Cross Medical Center, as the agency's new recruits at a press conference held in Tokyo on Tuesday (Feb. 28).

posted 10-22-2024 08:19 PM               

Regarding the certification of Ayu Yoneda and Osamu Suwa as astronauts

The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) has been conducting basic astronaut candidate training for astronaut candidate Ayu Yoneda since April 2023, and astronaut candidate Osamu Suwa since July 2023. The two astronaut candidates have now completed all basic training items for various missions, including activities on the International Space Station (ISS), the lunar orbital manned outpost "Gateway," and lunar surface activities, and after being reviewed by the screening committee, were certified as astronauts on October 21, 2024.  

In the future, they will be based at NASA's Johnson Space Center and will participate in training in various countries, including Japan, to improve their knowledge and skills as astronauts.

"Congratulations to Mr. Suwa and Mr. Yoneda on your certification as astronauts!" said Kimiya Yui, JAXA astronaut group leader. "I am very happy to see your efforts in basic training up close. Your career as an astronaut starts here. I hope that you will further hone the knowledge and skills you have acquired, experience various ground tasks, and continue new training, thereby developing your own strengths and individuality. Let's pave the way for a new era of manned space development together."