[Kyodo News, June 22]After returning to Earth from the International Space Station (ISS), Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) astronaut Satoshi Furukawa (60) recently accepted an interview with Kyodo News. Regarding the international lunar exploration project “Artemis Project” that is expected to have two Japanese people land on the moon, he said, “Although I want to go to the moon, someone younger than me may be selected. I will pass on my experience and provide support to young people.”

As a doctor, Furukawa said he is very interested in how the strong radiation from space will affect human genes and central nervous system during manned lunar exploration.

Furukawa stayed on the ISS from August 2023 and returned to Earth in March 2024. This was his second long-term stay since 2011. Furukawa’s total stay in space exceeded 366 days, ranking second among Japanese astronauts. (End)