Ayu Yoneda and Makoto Suwa have made history by becoming Japan's youngest and oldest astronauts, respectively, following their certification by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA). Their training, both within and outside of Japan, has equipped them to embark on future space missions with the aim of inspiring children and contributing to the evolving field of space exploration.
During a news conference in Tokyo, Yoneda expressed her desire to captivate children with the wonders of space, emphasizing her goal of being an inspirational figure in the field of astronautics. Similarly, Suwa shared his relief at being certified and his eagerness to play a part in the ongoing developments in space technology, highlighting the transitional phase that space exploration is currently undergoing. The head of the astronauts group at JAXA, Norishige Kanai, commended the dedication and effort put forth by Yoneda and Suwa during their training, expressing his pleasure at their certification and encouraging collaboration for the future of human space exploration.