Toyohiro Akiyama: key obituary facts
Is Toyohiro Akiyama dead? Yes. Toyohiro Akiyama died on August 31, 2026, at age 84.
Cause of death: Toyohiro Akiyama's cause of death was reported as gastrointestinal hemorrhage.
What was Toyohiro Akiyama known for?
He was a first Japanese astronaut (1942-2026).
More about Toyohiro Akiyama
Born: 22 July 1942.
Place of birth: Setagaya.
Gender: male.
Occupation: journalist, astronaut, reporter, engineer, Research Cosmonaut.
Nationality: Japan.
Education: International Christian University.
Employer: Kyoto University of the Arts and Design, TBS Holdings Inc., British Broadcasting Corporation.
Awards: Medal "For Merit in Space Exploration", Order of Friendship of Peoples.
Occupations: Journalist (TBS), professor at Kyoto University of Art and Design.
Toyohiro Akiyama, the Japanese journalist and cosmonaut who became the first person of Japanese nationality to fly in space, died on August 31, 2026, aged 84.
Born in Setagaya in 1942, he studied at International Christian University before joining TBS in 1966 and later working for the BBC World Service and as a foreign correspondent. In December 1990, he spent seven days aboard the Mir space station on a commercially sponsored mission, becoming the first journalist to report from outer space and the first civilian to take part in a commercial spaceflight.
He later taught at Kyoto University of Art and Design and was recognized with awards including the Medal “For Merit in Space Exploration” and the Order of Friendship of Peoples.