The first Japanese commander of the International Space Station, astronaut Koichi Wakata, has returned to Japan.

Wakata served as commander, working in the space station for 6 months until this past May. At a press conference on Tuesday, he talked about the mission, his experiences as commander, and shared his vision for the future.

He said that he had never felt as much pressure and responsibility before becoming commander, but managed to complete his mission nonetheless.

“Japan must produce the second and the third commanders as well,” he emphasized.

Wakata has every intention of supporting future Japanese astronauts.

During his one-month stay in Japan, the pioneer astronaut plans to hold debriefing sessions in many areas of the country.