The first Japanese citizen and journalist to venture into space, Toyohiro Akiyama, passed away at the age of 84. Akiyama’s mission on the Mir space station in 1990, funded by Sony, earned him the moniker of 'the space antihero' due to his initial negative reports from orbit.

Akiyama, a correspondent for TBS, captivated audiences with his 10-minute video and 20-minute audio broadcasts, which were part of the network's 40th anniversary celebrations. Despite his initial struggles with space sickness and nicotine withdrawal, Akiyama eventually apologised for his earlier negative reports and shared stunning footage of Mount Fuji, delighting his viewers.

Trained at the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center, Akiyama was part of the Soyuz TM-11 crew, alongside Viktor Afanasyev and Musa Manarov. His journey on the Soyuz U2 rocket, adorned with the Japanese flag and advertisements from various Japanese companies, highlighted the commercial potential of space travel.

Akiyama’s legacy is one of early pioneers in space journalism, showcasing the challenges and triumphs of space exploration. His unique perspective, blending discomfort with wonder, serves as a reminder of the human spirit's resilience in the face of the unknown.