Tokyo (AFP) Nov 19, 2021 It's one small step for Japan, but one giant opportunity for would-be...
It's one small step for Japan, but one giant opportunity for would-be space cadets: the country is recruiting new astronauts for the first time in over a decade and applicants no longer have to hold a science degree.
Women are strongly encouraged to put themselves forward for the job, the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency said, as all seven of the nation's current astronauts are men.
"We want to establish a system that matches the current time," JAXA's Kazuyoshi Kawasaki said at a media briefing.
JAXA said it will accept applications between December 20 and March 4 - the first time it has offered positions for rookie astronauts in 13 years.
This time around, they are looking to recruit "a few" astronauts with at least three years of workplace experience.
One of Japan's current crew is Akihiko Hoshide, 52, who returned to Earth from the International Space Station earlier this month in a SpaceX craft.
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