Top > What's up around the Prime Minister > October, 2005

The Crew of Space Shuttle Discovery Pay a Courtesy Call on Prime Minister Monday, October 3, 2005 JAPANESE Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi received a courtesy call from the six crew members who were on board the space shuttle Discovery, including Ms. Eileen Collins, the Mission Commander, and Mr. Soichi Noguchi, and talked with them at the Prime Minister's Official Residence. The crew made the visit in their blue flight suits which are worn during training. Prime Minister Koizumi asked a series of questions such as "How are you feeling physically since returning to earth?" and "During the launch, flight, or landing, when do you feel a large jolt?" Following the meeting, Mr. Noguchi said, "I also conversed with Prime Minister Koizumi from space, but meeting with him face-to-face made me feel that I am truly back in Japan." Related Link: Conversation with Astronaut Soichi Noguchi on Space Shuttle Discovery