Dec 01 (NHK) - Japanese astronaut Norishige Kanai has said he will do his best to complete his upcoming mission at the International Space Station.
Kanai held a press conference with a Russian and an American colleague at a training center in the suburbs of Moscow on Thursday. The day before, he passed the final test needed for heading to the ISS.
He appeared in front of the journalists wearing a Japanese kimono. Kanai said it is because he wants to express his respects to his trainers and colleagues.
He added he felt relieved at being able to finish the entire training, and that his goal is to complete his mission at the ISS.
During his stay at the ISS, he will examine the effects of the space environment on living organisms.
Other tasks will include experiments for the development of new drugs.