JAXA astronaut Makoto Suwa to join ISS crew in 2027
STAFF WRITER Jan 9, 2026
Makoto Suwa will be the eighth Japanese astronaut to conduct a long-duration stay on the ISS. | BLOOMBERG
By Jessica Speed
Astronaut and former World Bank official Makoto Suwa has been assigned to a long-duration stay aboard the International Space Station around 2027, Japan’s space agency announced Friday.
“I feel deeply honored and truly happy to have been given the opportunity to make even a small contribution as part of this outstanding program,” Suwa told reporters Friday at a news conference organized by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA).
“I believe a relay baton has been passed steadily from one (Japanese) astronaut to the next,” he added. “I want to receive that baton firmly and hand it on properly when the time comes for the next mission.”
This will be Suwa’s first spaceflight. He will be the eighth Japanese astronaut to conduct a long-duration stay on the space station, and this will be the 15th mission involving Japanese astronauts.
The 49-year-old joined JAXA in July 2023 along with Ayu Yoneda, 30, a former physician with the Japanese Red Cross, as part of JAXA’s first astronaut recruitment in 13 years. Both completed basic training and were certified as astronauts in October 2024.
Since November of that year, Suwa has been based at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in the United States, engaging in relevant training in order to be ready for a mission.
As a long-duration space station crew member, he will be expected to carry out operations including maintenance and upkeep of facilities — such as Japan’s Kibo module — as well as scientific experiments.
Suwa earned his master’s degree in geosciences at Princeton University in June 2007. He later worked at the United Nations World Meteorological Organization before joining the World Bank in 2014, where he served as a senior disaster risk management specialist.
During Friday’s conference, Suwa noted that the space station is scheduled to be deorbited at the end of 2030.
“We are entering a period where the end is in sight,” he stated. “This may be the time to put the finishing touches on the scientific achievements accumulated so far, and to look ahead to the future.”
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2026/01/09/japan/japanese-astronaut-makoto-suwa-spaceflight/【THE ROAD TO BECOME A JAXA ASTRONAUT】宇宙飛行士候補者基礎訓練（Astronaut candidates basic training)B)
Japan's Oldest Astronaut, Rishi Suwa, Set for First Long-Term Space Mission in 2027, Becoming 8th Japanese ISS Resident2026-01-09 18:35 (GMT+1)
(...) Japan's space agency, JAXA, has announced that astronaut Rishi Suwa (49), its oldest and most unconventional recruit, will undertake his first long-duration mission (approximately six months) to the International Space Station (ISS) around 2027. (...)
At a press conference on January 9, JAXA revealed the plan for Suwa's long-term ISS stay. The mission is expected to last approximately six months, with primary duties including maintenance of ISS facilities—such as the Japanese Experiment Module "Kibo"—and conducting scientific experiments. The possibility of participating in a spacewalk was also mentioned. At the conference, Suwa expressed his enthusiasm, stating, "I want to engage in scientific experiments and am also interested in spacewalks. I look forward to enjoying every possible experience."
Rishi Suwa holds a unique background, having been certified as a JAXA astronaut at the age of 47 in October 2024, making him the agency's oldest active astronaut. Born in Tokyo and raised in Tsukuba, Ibaraki Prefecture, he graduated from Princeton University's graduate school. He served as a Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteer in Rwanda, Africa, and later built a career in international development, holding senior disaster risk reduction specialist positions at United Nations agencies and the World Bank. He passed JAXA's astronaut selection in 2023, became a formal astronaut after basic training, and has since received specialized training in the United States for activities such as spacewalks and robotic arm operations.
This decision for a long-duration mission is seen as a symbolic event marking the handover to a new generation in Japan's human spaceflight activities and the utilization of talent with diverse backgrounds. (...)
https://finance.biggo.com/news/o-_Uo5sBe-PiouNmJ-qp【ノーカット】JAXA諏訪さん 27年ごろ宇宙へ ISSに長期滞在諏訪さん、初の宇宙飛行へ 「本当に光栄で幸せ」 来年にもＩＳＳ長期滞在2) Początek aktywności astronauty na X.
諏訪 理/Makoto Suwa @AstroMakotoSuwa 4:55 AM · Nov 27, 2024
Translated from Japanese
I'm starting with X. Nice to meet you.
https://x.com/AstroMakotoSuwa/status/18616197712900878713-4)
@AstroMakotoSuwa 3:09 PM · Nov 27, 2024
Every day, I head out in the morning for school, attend lectures, do practical sessions, or study on my own. I'll introduce the content bit by bit as we go!
https://twitter.com/AstroMakotoSuwa/status/18617742516084777954-5) @AstroMakotoSuwa· Nov 27, 2024
Doświadczony astronauta (spoza JAXA) poradził mi: „Dla astronautów siła mięśni jest ważniejsza niż wytrzymałość!”. Dlatego dzisiaj przyłożyłem się nieco bardziej do treningu siłowego 💪... ale oczywiście wybrałem się też na bieganie. W końcu tu, w Centrum Kosmicznym im. Johnsona, jest ścieżka biegowa!
Osobiście lubię trasy z podbiegami i zbiegami, ale z jakiegoś powodu teren centrum kosmicznego, w którym trenuję, jest płaski...
https://x.com/AstroMakotoSuwa/status/18618868115738298165-6) @AstroMakotoSuwa 3:24 PM · Nov 29, 2024
Wczoraj w USA obchodzono Święto Dziękczynienia – dzień jedzenia indyka 🦃.
Przed ucztą wybrałem się na bieg, żeby spalić nieco kalorii, szybko pokonując lokalną trasę na 5 km. #turkeytrot
https://x.com/AstroMakotoSuwa/status/18625028388546235256-7) We 09.2024 kandydaci na astronautów JAXA Makoto Suwa i Ayu Yoneda ukończyli szkolenie z robotyki w siedzibie CSA w Longueuil w Quebecu.
@AstroMakotoSuwa 5:43 AM · Dec 1, 2024
Thank you very much for the valuable training. We learned a lot and are ready for the next steps!
Canadian Space Agency@csa_asc·Nov 29, 2024
Mission accomplished! Back in September, @JAXA_en astronaut candidates Makoto Suwa and Ayu Yoneda completed their robotics training at CSA headquarters in Longueuil, Quebec. More info: https://asc-csa.gc.ca/eng/news/articles/2024/2024-11-29-jaxa-astronaut-candidates-completed-robotics-training-at-the-csa.asp
📸: CSA
https://twitter.com/AstroMakotoSuwa/status/1863081542471336329
Wątek: Makoto Suwa (諏 訪 理) - 1977 (Przeczytany 2026 razy)