Toyohiro Akiyama, first Japanese citizen and journalist in space, dies at 84
Toyohiro Akiyama, the first Japanese citizen in space and the world's first journalist to report from orbit, has passed away at age 84. Akiyama flew to the Mir space station in 1990 as part of a commercial mission sponsored by the Tokyo Broadcasting System.
Why it matters
His mission marked a historic milestone in both space exploration and the commercialization of space travel.
1942-2026 Toyohiro Akiyama, first Japanese citizen and journalist in space, dies at 84 He reported from space that only “fat” Japanese tree frogs enjoyed weightlessness.
1 Toyohiro Akiyama, Soyuz TM-11 crewmate, in the Mir space station while reporting for the Tokyo Broadcasting System. Credit: Roscosmos Toyohiro Akiyama, Soyuz TM-11 crewmate, in the Mir space station while reporting for the Tokyo Broadcasting System. Credit: Roscosmos Text settings Story text Size Small Standard Large Width * Standard Wide Links Standard Orange * Subscribers only Learn more Minimize to nav The first Japanese citizen to launch into space, Toyohiro Akiyama was also the first commercially sponsored cosmonaut and the world’s first journalist to file reports while on a spaceflight.
Akiyama, 84, died last Wednesday , August 26, of lower gastrointestinal bleeding, news agencies in Japan reported. A funeral was held with his close relatives in attendance.
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