Japan's First Space Traveler and TV Reporter Passes Away at 84

Toyohiro Akiyama, who became the first Japanese citizen and the first journalist to report from space, died on August 26 at age 84 from lower gastrointestinal bleeding. Selected from 163 applicants at Tokyo Broadcasting System, he flew to the Mir space station in December 1990 as part of a commercially sponsored mission. His daily broadcasts from orbit were hampered by space sickness and nicotine withdrawal, and he famously described Earth's waters as looking muddy.

Akiyama's selection from 163 TBS applicants marked a unique commercial arrangement, with the network reportedly investing between $12 million and $37 million. His training at Star City prepared him for the Soyuz TM-11 mission, which launched with Japanese flags and corporate advertisements adorning the rocket.

His week aboard Mir produced daily broadcasts, though space sickness and nicotine withdrawal colored his early reports. He described Japan's waters as muddy and commented on the country's moss-like appearance from orbit, while noting Hokkaido resembled kelp. His return on Soyuz TM-10 ended his only spaceflight, after which he continued his career at TBS, having previously served as chief correspondent in Washington.