Toyohiro Akiyama, first Japanese journalist in space, passes away at 84
TBS correspondent Akiyama made live broadcasts from Mir space station in 1990.
1A historic mission
Toyohiro Akiyama, an employee of Tokyo Broadcasting System (TBS), became the first Japanese citizen in space in 1990 through a commercial agreement with the Soviet Union. Selected from 162 candidates for TBS's 40th anniversary, he also earned the title of first journalist to broadcast live from space. After training at the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center near Moscow, he joined the Soyuz TM-11 crew.
2Launch with Japanese flag
On December 2, 1990, Akiyama launched aboard a Soyuz U2 rocket adorned with the Japanese flag and ads from companies including Sony. The 9-minute launch was broadcast live by TBS. After a two-day journey, the crew reached Mir space station for its 11th expedition. While Soviet cosmonauts Viktor Afanasyev and Musa Manarov stayed for 175 days, Akiyama spent only one week aboard.
3Journalism in space
During his stay, Akiyama recorded daily 10-minute videos and two 20-minute audio segments. Initially popular, his 'To the Universe' broadcasts disappointed viewers when he made negative comments due to space adaptation syndrome and nicotine withdrawal (he smoked 3 packs daily). He described Japan's waters as 'muddy' and his country as 'covered in moss.'
4Declining public interest
TBS's $12-37 million investment failed to achieve expected international impact. Ratings dropped as the week progressed. Though Akiyama later shared positive footage like Mount Fuji, public interest waned. Landing on Kazakhstan's steppes on December 10, he logged 7 days 21 hours 54 minutes in space, becoming the 239th person to orbit Earth.
5Career transformation
After serving as TBS deputy news director post-flight, Akiyama resigned in 1995 protesting TV commercialization. He made an Aral Sea documentary before becoming an organic mushroom and rice farmer. The 2011 earthquake forced him to abandon his Fukushima farm. He later taught at Kyoto University of Arts and wrote books about his space experiences.
6Place in history
Akiyama preceded Japan's first professional astronaut Mamoru Mohri by 2 years (Mohri's flight was delayed by the 1986 Challenger disaster). Awarded the Soviet Order of Friendship of Peoples, he received Russia's 'For Merit in Space Exploration' medal in 2011 and Tokyo Metropolitan Cultural Honor in 1991.
7Personal life
Married to Kyoko Akiyama in 1970 (divorced 1995), they had two children: Ken and Naoko. His books include 'Space Correspondent: First Japanese Astronaut's Complete Record' (1991) about his spaceflight and 'Diary of a Nuclear-Powered Refugee' (2011) about Fukushima's nuclear disaster.
8Pioneer of space journalism
Akiyama's mission pioneered commercial spaceflights and space tourism, foreshadowing today's Blue Origin and SpaceX ventures. It also revealed challenges of firsthand space reporting. Passing at 84, Akiyama left an indelible mark on both Japanese space history and media world.