posted 08-31-2011 10:01 AM               

Astronaut Naoko Yamazaki said in a press conference Wednesday that she wants to work as a freelance outer space educator after resigning from the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency the same day.

"Instead of me going to outer space again, I want to see more people travel there in the future," she said, adding she wants to take up work that will help familiarize people with space flight.

Yamazaki said she pondered her work and personal life for nearly a year before deciding to spend more time with her family. "I would like to give my full attention to my family for some time," she added.

She became the second female Japanese astronaut to fly into outer space in 2010. Yamazaki was also the first Japanese mother to crew a space shuttle and serve on the International Space Station.

posted 07-02-2025 08:41 AM               

This year, I have been appointed as the chairperson of the Space Development and Utilization Committee of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology. Together with the committee members and related parties, I aim to engage in sincere and proactive discussions.

I am also continuing my involvement in the Cabinet Office's Space Science and Exploration Subcommittee, among others.
Valuing both policy and on-the-ground perspectives, I look forward to your continued support!