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Conversation with Astronaut Takao Doi at the International Space Station (ISS) Thursday, March 20, 2008 JAPANESE

Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda conversed with Mr. Takao Doi, an astronaut who is at the International Space Station (ISS), at the Prime Minister's Official Residence. On March 11, Astronaut Doi boarded the U.S. space shuttle Endeavour and left Earth for the ISS, orbiting at 400 kilometers. He is now conducting various tasks at the Japanese Experiment Logistics Module-Pressurized Section (ELM-PS), a module of Japan's first manned facility in space, Kibo. The ELM-PS was installed at the ISS on March 14. Together with Mr. Kisaburo Tokai, the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, Ms. Chiaki Mukai, an astronaut, and five students from Higashi Junior High School in Kofu City, alma mater of Mr. Doi, Prime Minister Fukuda conversed with Mr. Doi, Ms. Peggy Whitson, the ISS Commander, and Mr. Dominic Gorie, the commander of a space shuttle attached to the ISS. Prime Minister Fukuda said, "Congratulations on completion of the first stage of assembling Japan's laboratory module. You have been engaged in this project for a long time. How do you feel now that the first stage is completed?" Mr. Doi said, "It was thanks to the support of a great many people. I would like to extend my appreciation to them all." After Mr. Doi showed them views from inside Kibo, one of the students asked Mr. Doi a question: "The environment issue is increasingly becoming a popular topic for discussion. Between the first and second flight, do you see any difference between the Earth that you see from outer space?" He answered that, "Earth is astonishingly beautiful, and this beauty has not changed much since my first flight. I feel all the more happy that I was given my life on Earth, a planet illuminated with white clouds and blue seas. We must ensure that the beauty of the Earth is maintained as it is." Afterwards, the conversation continued for approximately 20 minutes, during which time Mr. Doi spoke about what he thought of the taste of Japanese foods that are prepared as space foods, and the distance between Earth and the ISS, among other topics.