Japan Re-Recruits Astronauts After More Than A Decade: Science Degree Not Needed And Priority For Women

Japanese astronaut Akihiko Hoshide in space. (Wikimedia Commons/NASA)

JAKARTA - The long-awaited good news has finally come from the Japan Space Exploration Agency (JAXA) as it plans to re-open the recruitment of new astronauts.

This is one small step for Japan, but one big opportunity for aspiring space cadets. For the first time in more than a decade, Japan is recruiting astronauts again.

Interestingly, there have been a number of changes to the hiring requirements, such as applicants no longer having to hold a science degree. In addition, women are strongly encouraged to volunteer, because all seven astronauts are currently male, said JAXA.

Successful applicants, who must be Japanese, will be trained and sent on a mission, potentially to the Moon, Moon Gate, or the International Space Station.

"We want to build a (recruitment) system that fits the current time," explained JAXA's Kazuyoshi Kawasaki at a press conference, citing CNA Nov. 19.

"Previously we limited candidates to those with natural science degrees, but many of us agreed to make it not a requirement," he continued.

However, the written exam will include university-level questions on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, with applicants' English proficiency also being tested.

JAXA said it would accept applications between December 20 and March 4, the first time it has offered a position to a novice astronaut in 13 years. This time, they are looking to recruit some astronauts with at least three years of work experience.

There is no age requirement or gender quota, and the agency has lowered the height requirement to 149.5 cm.

To note, one of the current Japanese astronauts is Akihiko Hoshide, 52, who returned to Earth from the International Space Station earlier this month on a SpaceX craft.