Space Adventures, the company behind the world's first manned spaceflight, announced on January 7 that Satoshi Takamatsu, creative director and CEO of SPACE TRAVEL, the company's distributor, will begin flight training as a potential crew member for the International Space Station (ISS). Takamatsu passed the astronaut training exam held from July to August last year. He will undergo 800 hours of training based in Star City, Russia, from the 12th of this month through September. He will then be certified by the Russian Space Agency as the first Japanese civilian astronaut to fly on the ISS. This marks the second time in 26 years that a civilian astronaut has achieved this feat. Takamatsu aspired to become an astronaut after watching the Apollo 11 moon landing on television at the age of six. He studied outer space at university, but gave up his dream due to poor eyesight. He went on to work for Dentsu, where he worked on television commercials and other projects. He first gained attention for his work on the Otsuka Pharmaceutical Pocari Sweat TV commercial "GOES TO SPACE," the world's first space-based commercial. He later shot the Nissin Cup Noodles commercial "NO BORDER" on location in space, and worked on the "FREEDOM" commercial with director Katsuhiro Otomo, known for "AKIRA" and other films. Even after retiring, he remained committed to his space-related work, and in 2012 founded Japan's first space travel agency. Speaking at the press conference, Space Adventures President Tom Shelley explained the reasons for Takamatsu's selection: "Takamatsu has a brilliant track record in the advertising industry, a strong entrepreneurial spirit, and a long-standing passion for space that began as a child. He has a creative mind." Takamatsu expressed his joy, saying, "My dream since I was 6 years old suddenly presented itself at the age of 51. I want to convey that any dream can come true." Also attending the press conference was Toyohiro Akiyama, Japan's first private astronaut and former TBS space correspondent/professor at Kyoto University of Art and Design. He offered advice to Takamatsu, who expressed concern about his age of 51, saying, "There are many foreign astronauts in their 50s." He also encouraged him, saying, "Takamatsu is someone who has worked hard to carve out his own path with an attitude of not setting limits. He is trying to make his own history. And his ability to capture people's hearts will surely be appreciated overseas." The flight is scheduled for 2015-2016. Takamatsu, who said he will "become a new type of astronaut," will share everything from his spaceflight training to life in space in real time via social media. He spoke enthusiastically, saying, "I want to make this a project where everyone can become an astronaut and share space."