Japan rejuvenates astronaut ranks with 28-year-old surgeon

Makoto Suwa (left) and Dr Ayu Yoneda are civilian recruits for the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency. - Bloomberg

TOKYO (Bloomberg): Two civilian recruits officially joined Japan’s space program Monday, injecting some much-needed youth into its ranks given the country’s six active astronauts have an average age of 52.

Ayu Yoneda, a 28-year-old surgeon with the Red Cross, will train for about two years before being considered for a mission to the lunar surface.