Naoko Yamazaki

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Naoko Yamazaki

NASDA/JAXA Astronaut
Nationality	Japanese
Status	Active
Born	December 27, 1970 Matsudo, Japan
Other occupation	Engineer
Selection	1999 NASDA Group
Missions	None

Naoko Yamazaki (山崎直子 Yamazaki Naoko, born 27 December 1970) is the second Japanese woman to qualify as an astronaut. The first was Chiaki Mukai.

Yamazaki was born Naoko Sumino in Matsudo, Chiba Prefecture on December 27, 1970. Her parents are Akito and Kimie.

From 1975 to 1978, she lived in Sapporo and it was there she first learned about space travel. Her desire to be an astronaut began in January 1986, when the Space Shuttle Challenger exploded. She decided to become one after hearing the story of Christa McAuliffe.

After graduating from Ochanomizu Girl's High School, she went to the Tokyo University and majored in space aeronautics. She earned a master's degree in 1996, and entered the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency the same year.

She was selected as an astronaut candidate in February 1999, and was qualified as an astronaut on September 26, 2001. She married Taichi Yamazaki in December 2000, and has one daughter.

In 2007, Yamazaki voice herself in episode 7 of the anime Rocket Girls.