Japanese astronaut to command space station in March

It's a high time.

A role model for Saitama!

I think it is sad that none of my students know who he is. Most can name the current lineup of AKB or their favorite JPL team, but none of them can name a single JAXA astronaut. One of them thought he was a member of Exile. Pathetic. I had the privilege of being at NASA in 2009 and watching him go up on the shuttle. A true inspiration and hero for today's Japanese youth.

I hink it is sad that none of my students know who he is.

Excuse me, are you talking about American students?

Good to see them (US/Rus) working together up there, while they are ready to fight a proxy battle down here in Syria.

Good work Wakata too - there should be more like him!

Congrats!

technosquare - most long time posters on this forum know that I live in Tohoku and teach at a private junior college here.Be that as it may, I would challenge you to ask an average American student for the name of a NASA astronaut as well. Young people today, whether they are Japanese or American, are not even concerned with worldly matters let alone those pertaining to space.

I live in Tohoku and teach at a private junior college here.Be that as it may, I would challenge you to ask an average American student for the name of a NASA astronaut as well.

If a student stays plain dumb or short-sighted, who is responsible, except teacher, I wonder?

Anyone watch animation "Uchuu Kyoudai"(Space brother)? Thumb up if you like it too. This news simply remind me of it. Congrats anyways!

out of 3 guys, its either you, him or me......

anyway, well done and your nation is proud of you!

Goooooooooood Luck Japan!

technobabble - Point well taken. That is why I am doing my best to try and educate my students about important role models like Dr Wakata, Mssrs Hoshide and Noguchi, and the fantastic role models for girls - Dr Mukai and Dr Yamaguchi. I hope you are trying to do the same.

I doubt very much that American students and people know any one name of Spacemen. Some adults who watch tech news may remember Robo-chan. this is the country in which US politicians claimed Sony is an American company. Spacemen's name? They may know who is Oprah, and who is Hillary;s husband but the name of spcemen?