29-Year-Old Surgeon to Become Japan's Youngest Lunar Explorer... JAXA's Youngest Astronaut [Japanese Side]

JAXA Astronaut Ayu Yoneda, Born in 1995
Graduated from Tokyo University Medical School, Worked as a Surgeon
Selected After Applying for Astronaut Recruitment
Emphasized the Power of Challenge... Speech Became a Hot Topic

It has been half a century since humanity first landed on the moon, and now humanity is once again aiming for the moon. This is the 'Artemis Program,' which aims for a human lunar landing. Although the schedule has been repeatedly delayed, the dream of sending people to the moon remains unchanged despite the setbacks.

Japan is participating in the manned exploration mission of the Artemis Program. Asahi Shimbun drew attention by introducing the astronauts who will carry out this mission in a year-end and New Year interview. Japan’s astronauts preparing for lunar exploration consist of two people, one male and one female. Among them, the female astronaut, born in 1995 and 29 years old, is a surgeon and has become Japan’s youngest astronaut. Today, we share the story of Ayu Yoneda, the youngest astronaut of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), who was spotlighted as a notable figure in Japan during the year-end and New Year period.

Japanese JAXA astronaut Ayu Yoneda. JAXA.

Ms. Yoneda was born in 1995 and spent her school years in Kobe. When she was selected as an astronaut, her former teachers were interviewed as well. They said she was a lively student who enjoyed sports. Even during her school days, Yoneda dreamed of becoming a doctor. She once said, "As a doctor, I hope to be someone who can care for patients’ hearts, and in that regard, I would like to learn about art as well." Her teachers initially thought she was trying to pursue both art and medical school, but then they were surprised when she ended up going to space.

After graduating from Kobe Jogakuin Junior and Senior High School (equivalent to middle and high school in Korea), Yoneda was admitted to the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Tokyo, one of the top medical schools comparable to Seoul National University College of Medicine. At the University of Tokyo, she was active in the yacht club, and the training camps she attended every vacation later became a great advantage during the astronaut selection process. After graduating from medical school, she worked as a surgeon at the Japanese Red Cross Medical Center.

Although she was working as a doctor, her childhood dream had always been to become an astronaut. This was inspired by a book her father gave her when she was young. She read a biographical manga about Chiaki Mukai, Japan’s first female astronaut. Mukai, originally a doctor, is a legendary figure who successfully flew to space twice in 1994 and 1998. Yoneda found it fascinating how people’s various thoughts from Earth were carried into space, and how experiments conducted there brought back new knowledge to Earth.

Meanwhile, when Japan decided to participate in the manned lunar exploration project of the Artemis Program, JAXA opened a public recruitment for astronauts to go to the moon in 2022. Originally, there was an academic restriction requiring graduates in natural sciences, but this time the restriction was completely removed. Yoneda, who noticed this, applied and was selected. With a record number of over 4,000 applicants, the selection process included English and general knowledge tests, physical fitness assessments, and presentations. Ultimately, Yoneda and Makoto Suwa were chosen as astronauts. After training at JAXA, Yoneda was officially recognized as a JAXA astronaut in October last year.

The appearance of Mr. Yoneda undergoing basic training. JAXA.

Although the Artemis Program has been slightly delayed compared to the original schedule, Yoneda continues her training. In an interview with Asahi Shimbun on the 31st of last month, she said that since November last year, she has been undergoing intensive training at NASA’s Johnson Space Center. She is learning the systems of the International Space Station (ISS) and undergoing practical training such as working in a large swimming pool to simulate zero-gravity environments.

When asked by Asahi Shimbun what she hopes to achieve in space, she replied, "The difference between the Apollo program, which landed humans on the moon 50 years ago, and this program is that we are thinking about how humans can stay longer on the moon and what they can do there." Therefore, "It is important to think about what can be done on the moon and to discover new science." Since this expands humanity’s sphere of activity, she is preparing for the mission with a great sense of responsibility.

Her speech at the University of Tokyo entrance ceremony also became a hot topic online. After being selected as an astronaut and delivering the entrance ceremony speech, Yoneda said, "There are people in the world who challenge unknown areas and influence those around them with their courage. If you actively seek such people, you can grow yourself as well." She added, "When such opportunities accumulate, both yourself and society can take a step forward." She concluded with an encouraging message: "Even a small step by one person can become a great leap for humanity. Your step leads to society’s step and humanity’s great future. Take a step forward and keep challenging yourself."

In the interview with Asahi Shimbun, she urged children to boldly pursue what they want, just as she read about astronauts when she was young and eventually fulfilled that dream. She said, "I hope you challenge what you like or find interesting without hesitation. If you look around, there will surely be something that seems fun. Even if it is unrelated to your future aspirations, it may become a strength 10 or 20 years later."

Honestly, just looking at her credentials, I thought she was someone from another world. Although such credentials could have allowed her to settle into a socially secure life, her challenge to a dream that seemed almost impossible and her achievement of it have given great strength to people during the year-end and New Year period.