The rocket carrying businessman Yusaku Maezawa docked with the International Space Station on the night of the 8th, Japan time. This was the first time that a Japanese civilian stayed on the International Space Station, and his 12-day "space trip" began. Around 3:00 p.m. on the 8th, Japan time, at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. Businessman Yusaku Maezawa was waiting for the moment with a calm expression. On board, the song "Eiko no Kakehashi" by "Yuzu" was playing, and he seemed to be humming along. Businessman Yusaku Maezawa: "The purpose of my trip this time is to tell everyone what space is really like, the impressions that only a civilian can have, which astronauts can't easily talk about, by experiencing everyday life in space and telling them what space is really like." Tweet before departure... "Dreams come true" And then at 4:38 p.m. Reporter: "The Soyuz rocket is now launching into the Baikonur sky with Yusaku Maezawa on board. We can hear a huge rumbling sound all the way here." The Russian-made Soyuz rocket roared as it departed for space. Maezawa will be the first Japanese private citizen to stay on the International Space Station. ■More than 10 billion yen for the two of them Maezawa, who is known for launching the fashion shopping site "ZOZOTOWN". In 2018, he suddenly made the following announcement. Maezawa: "I can finally announce to everyone. I have decided to go to the moon." He announced that he would go on a "moon trip". However, the departure will be in 2023. Before that, Maezawa headed to space. This time, Maezawa also brought along a Japanese staff member in charge of photography, and it is estimated that the two of them spent more than 10 billion yen together. ■"I am filled with the feeling that my dream has finally come true" 2021 has become a "space trip" rush for so-called "big money". On July 11, Richard Branson, chairman of the British Virgin Group, succeeded in a test flight. Virgin Group Chairman Richard Branson: "The mission I wrote on the inside of my space suit was to make the dream of space travel a reality for my grandchildren." About 10 days later, Amazon founder Jeff Bezos went on a space trip. Amazon founder Jeff Bezos: "Oh my God! It dramatically exceeded my expectations." And in September, Elon Musk's SpaceX successfully launched a spacecraft carrying only four private citizens, including businessmen. What is the reason for going to such lengths to space? Reporter: "Is it the realization of a child's dream? A mental challenge? Or is it just business?" Maezawa: "I've always loved the starry sky and celestial bodies. I'm really happy to be given this opportunity, and I'm filled with the feeling that my dream is finally coming true." What is the training for space travel? Maezawa underwent various training before departing for space. This included "survival training" to learn how to survive in case of an emergency landing on Earth. Maezawa: "The hardest part was the rotating chair, or spinning chair." This training involved sitting on a rotating chair and getting "space sickness." Maezawa: "Horizontal rotation is fine, but vertical rotation makes me sick. I get sick when I lose track of where I am." The zero-gravity training took place at 6,000 to 9,000 meters above Moscow. He tried swimming cross-legged, drinking water spilled from a plastic bottle, and training to change into a space suit. Then on the 8th... A person who saw him off: "Don't die, Maezawa! Come back alive!" Before departure, they said a prayer and checked the airtightness of the space suit. Maezawa boarded the Soyuz. He made a gesture of hitting his chest. Mr. They were also seen moving their hands to the song by 3D Children. And at 4:38pm Japan time, the Soyuz was successfully launched. It successfully got into orbit. ■Reactions in Japan... The moment Maezawa took off for his space trip, over 180,000 people were watching the live YouTube broadcast. And here too... Newscaster Yamamoto Erika: "The rocket has just launched. It's incredibly impressive even on this monitor." It was also broadcast live on a large screen in Shinjuku. Anchorman Yamamoto: "Many people stopped and stared at the monitor in this rain." Person watching the launch: "It was very moving." Woman in her 40s: "It's amazing. I think they have a lot of initiative and financial power." The cost of this space trip for two people is said to be 10 billion yen... Anchorman Yamamoto: "How much would you be willing to spend (on a space trip)?" Woman in her 20s: "I can't spend a billion yen. A billion yen is out of the question." "2 million yen!" ■On the way to 12 days of "life in space"... And then it was past 10pm Japan time. A voice from the spacecraft: "The (International Space) Station is directly below us." Was it Maezawa? Japanese was heard from the spacecraft. A voice from the spacecraft: "We're under 100m. It's huge! Wow, that's amazing." At around 10:40pm Japan time, the spacecraft docked safely with the International Space Station. A voice from the spacecraft: "It's very moving. We've just arrived." Our 12-day life in space will soon begin. (8th 23:10)