| BUSINESSWEEK ONLINE : JUNE 14, 1999 ISSUE | ||||||||
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| INTERNATIONAL -- ASIAN COVER STORY
'Our Home Planet Is So Beautiful. It's Fragile...and Has Dignity' (int'l edition) Chiaki Mukai is the most traveled astronaut in Japan. Her last mission was aboard the space shuttle Discovery, where she researched the effects of weightlessness with veteran U.S. astronaut John Glenn. Tokyo Correspondent Emily Thornton Below recently interviewed Mukai by phone while she was analyzing results from her Discovery experiments in NASA labs in Houston. Here are edited excerpts of their conversation: Q: After becoming the first Japanese astronaut to go into space twice, you have now been selected for yet another journey, in the International Space Station. How do you feel about getting yet another chance to travel into space? A: Of course, it's so fortunate. I'd like to do my best. If by 2004, the lab can be truly operational, I would like to do an experiment. I am now proposing an experiment on the effects of microgravity and radiation. I hope to fly again as soon as I can. Q: Why are microgravity experiments important? A: An analogy would be that when you want to investigate an eye, you must do so in a weak light. When you want to investigate the ear system, you need a quiet room. Our body has developed in a gravitated environment. If we really want to know how our body system works, we need to investigate that in an area where there is no gravity. Q: You have been selected to serve on an advisory panel to Prime Minister Keizo Obuchi that will discuss Japan's goals in the next century. What do you think Japan's goals should be? A: Our country should be the country of virtue and dignity. The education or consciousness of people living in Japan should be raised. The education system now teaches knowledge rather than educating people. Also, Japan is facing a recession. Many people are losing themselves, and they don't have something that they can believe in. We should believe in ourselves and be more self-confident so that we can respect others too. Q: I understand that before you became an astronaut you were a cardiovascular surgeon with a scalpel in one hand and Japanese sake- or shochu- in the other. Do you like sake? A: Shochu is a symbol of enjoying life. The scalpel stands for enjoying your profession. My profession is my right hand with the scalpel. And I enjoy my life with my left hand with shochu. I am not an alcohol lover. I enjoy talking with people. I'm usually drinking beer with many people. I love to talk with many people. Q: What first inspired you to apply to the National Space Development Agency of Japan to become an astronaut? And why did you want to become an astronaut? A: In 1983, I saw a small article that said the Japanese government is looking for a science-type astronaut. I thought at that time that the astronaut should be a pilot, an American or a Russian. I thought "Oh my God" thanks to the developments in 20th century science, now even a Japanese scientist can go to space! If I can see my planet earth with my naked eyes, that will expand my way of thinking. So I just applied. Q: How was it to see earth from space? A: That was wonderful. Our home planet is so beautiful. It's fragile, elegant, beautiful, and has dignity. Q: What is the best part of your job? A: The best aspect of my job is meeting many people. A cardiovascular team needs many different types of people. A space program requires even a broader range of people. They encourage me to learn many things. Q: Did you learn anything from John Glenn? A: There are so many things. He loves the nation and he loves people. I have learned a lot from his positive attitude. He's so energetic. I was fortunate to work with such an American hero. Q: When he came to Tokyo, he said that if there was a sumo bout in space, you would win it. Do you agree? A: I think so. Weight doesn't matter in space. I would win. Q: What has been your biggest surprise so far about space travel? A: The biggest surprise for me was not the flight, but coming back. I have been in a gravitational environment since I was a baby. I knew the gravity that exists on earth. But I was not aware of it. After being in space, your body adapts to microgravity. When you get back, you feel your body is so heavy. Your body is pulled to the center of the earth. When I came back from space, I developed a special sense for about a day. I felt the weight of the business card and the paper. Now I can tell even the weight of the paper. I wanted to see the beauty of our planet. I had expected to see the magnificent view. But if you're not prepared to experience the earth's gravity again, you'll be surprised. Q: You composed a Japanese poem while on the Discovery flight. In that haiku, you mentioned somersaults. How many somersaults did you do in space? A: More than 10. I really wanted to share the feeling of microgravity with people on earth. A somersault can be done very easily in space. But our feet cannot touch the floor. Some things that can easily be done on earth cannot be easily done in space. Q: In January, you presented the Labor Ministry with a flag as a symbol of the grace and strength of Japanese women. How do you believe the government and corporations can encourage women to achieve their full potential in Japan? A: Before men and women, we are human beings. That is common sense. If you want to do something, go for it. _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ BACK TO TOP |
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 RELATED ITEMS The Stars of Asia Chiaki Mukai, Astronaut, Japan (int'l edition) ONLINE ORIGINAL: ``Our Home Planet Is So Beautiful. It's Fragile...and Has Dignity'' (int'l editi INTERACT E-Mail to Business Week Online | |||
