Bachelor and master of science in chemistry from Hokkaido University, 1970 and 1972 respectively; Ph.D. in chemistry from Flinders University of South Australia, 1976; associate professor in the faculty of Hokkaido University, Department of Nuclear Engineering; general manager of the NASDA Astronaut Office; hobbies: Skiing, tennis, scuba diving, baseball, ice skating, squash, aerobics, visiting museums of arts, flying; since 1996 NASA astronaut (MSP); since his retirement from NASDA and NASA Director National Science Museum, Japan.