KANAI Norishige

Born in Tokyo, Japan. Raised in Chiba Prefecture.

Graduated from National Defense Medical College.

Worked as a physician and a Diving Medical Officer in the Japan Maritime Self Defense Force, stationed at National Defense Medical College Hospital (Saitama), Japan Self Defense Force Ohminato Hospital (Aomori), Japan Self Defense Force Hospital Kure (Hiroshima), and the 1st Service School of the Japan Maritime Self Defense Force (Hiroshima).

Selected as an astronaut candidate by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA).
Joined JAXA.
Commenced basic training at Johnson Space Center, Houston, with NASA astronaut candidates which includes scientific and technical briefings, intensive instruction on ISS systems, Extravehicular Activities (EVAs), robotics, and flight training using the T-38 jet trainer.

Completed all basic training requirements, and certified as an ISS astronaut.

Assigned as a flight engineer for ISS Expeditions 54 and 55.

Spent 168 days in space as a flight engineer aboard the ISS on Expeditions 54 and 55.
Carried out various experiments for both JAXA and international partners, under the mission theme “Discovering clues about health longevity in space,” as well as Extravehicular Activities (EVAs) and the capture of the SpX-14 Dragon cargo spacecraft by maneuvering the Space Station Remote Manipulator System (SSRMS).