Kenji Yamagata joined the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) (formerly NASDA) in 2000 and began his career in human spaceflight operations as a member of the Japanese Astronaut Training Team. Throughout his career, he has supported numerous Japanese astronaut missions, including Space Shuttle, Soyuz, Crew Dragon, International Space Station (ISS), and Extravehicular Activity (EVA) missions.
In parallel with astronaut training operations, he initiated and led research activities on next-generation spacesuits, aiming to develop lunar mission spacesuit technologies utilizing Japanese expertise and industrial capabilities.
Beyond human spaceflight, Mr. Yamagata has held a variety of strategic and management roles at JAXA Headquarters, including risk management, technology transfer, and industry relations, contributing to organizational planning and the promotion of space-sector collaboration.
After returning to the Human Spaceflight Technology Directorate, he worked to expand the Japanese Space Food program and led public outreach initiatives to enhance public understanding of the significance of human space exploration and to inspire broader participation in the space sector.
From 2020 to 2025, he served at the JAXA Houston Liaison Office as Deputy Director, where he supported ISS-related international coordination and mission operations.
Since returning to Japan in 2025, he has been serving as Executive Secretariat of the Asia-Pacific Regional Space Agency Forum (APRSAF), promoting regional cooperation and collaboration in the space community.
Mr. Yamagata is also a Visiting Researcher at Ritsumeikan University.