In the latest phase of Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency’s (JAXA) astronaut selection, two candidates have cleared all required tests, including rigorous examinations and comprehensive interviews. The national media cited the ministry of education, culture, sports, science and technology for confirmation, but the emphasis remains on the solid performance and potential of the two individuals rather than on the reporting source. The selection marks a significant milestone for Japan as it proceeds with a stringent screening process designed to identify individuals who combine medical, technical, and operational excellence for future space missions.
Makoto Suwa, 46, distinguished himself by achieving the highest score in the assessment sequence. His background as a disaster prevention specialist at the World Bank brings a unique blend of crisis management, risk assessment, and international collaboration to the table. Suwa has spent years evaluating large-scale hazard scenarios, coordinating cross-border relief efforts, and translating complex risk data into actionable plans. This experience is expected to translate into effective crew leadership, mission safety planning, and robust decision-making under pressure in microgravity environments. The path ahead envisions his evolution from candidate to trained astronaut, contributing to science operations and testing procedures aboard deep-space platforms once training is completed.
Ayu Yoneda, 28, has built a profile as a surgeon affiliated with the Japanese Red Cross Medical Center in Tokyo. Her clinical work has involved acute care, trauma response, and procedural medicine, all of which equip her with the steady hands and precise judgment crucial for spaceflight medical tasks. Yoneda’s selection highlights JAXA’s ongoing commitment to bringing medical expertise into crewed missions, where medical readiness and rapid problem-solving capacity are essential aboard the International Space Station and beyond. As with Suwa, Yoneda will undergo an intensive two-year training cycle intended to forge a well-rounded astronaut capable of scientific experimentation, autonomous systems management, and teamwork in high-stakes environments.
Upon completion of the training, these two will be eligible to join an astronaut detachment and contribute to missions on the International Space Station. Their participation may also align with future collaborations within Artemis-era timelines led by NASA, where international crews pursue lunar exploration goals and related research objectives. While the exact mission assignments are not yet finalized, the trajectory points toward roles that blend research, technology demonstrations, and operational support for long-duration flights. This pathway reflects a broader strategy to diversify the skill sets within Japan’s astronaut corps and to strengthen cooperative ventures in space exploration across allied agencies.
The recent Japan-based detachment recruitment, a process last undertaken more than a decade ago, underscores a renewed emphasis on native talent and domestic development within JAXA. This renewal encourages a steady pipeline of highly capable astronauts who can operate complex systems, contribute to international missions, and advance Japan’s scientific and technological leadership in space. The broader context includes past instances where astronauts from the United States and Japan collaborated on spacewalks and solar array installations, illustrating the value of cross-national teamwork and shared mission objectives in advancing human presence beyond Earth. The current selection continues that tradition by prioritizing individuals whose expertise spans engineering, medicine, and crisis leadership, thereby strengthening the agency’s capacity to conduct cutting-edge research while ensuring crew safety and mission resilience.