Naoko YamazakiStatus: Retired 12/27/1970 – Nationality: Japanese Type: Government First Flight: 4/5/2010 Last Flight: 4/5/2010Naoko Yamazaki is a former Japanese astronaut at JAXA, the second Japanese woman to qualify for the program. The first was Chiaki Mukai.LaunchesSpace Shuttle Discovery / OV-103 | STS-131Japan Aerospace Exploration AgencyType: Government Abbreviation: JAXA Administration: Administrator: Hiroshi Yamakawa Founded: 2003 Launchers: H-IICountry: JPNThe Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) is Japan’s national aero-space agency. Through the merger of three previously independent organizations, JAXA was formed on 1 October 2003. JAXA is responsible for research, technology development and the launch of satellites into orbit, and is involved in many more advanced missions, such as asteroid exploration and possible manned exploration of the Moon. JAXA launch their Epsilon vehicle from the Uchinoura Space Center and their H-II vehicles from the Tanegashima Space Center.