Wakata's trip to the ISS, known as Expedition 39, marked a historic moment for Japan after he became the first Japanese astronaut to take command of the station.

To celebrate the occasion Hiraoka Eisuke, executive director of the JOC, and Kubo Hanae, a Japanese ice hockey player who represented the nation at Sochi 2014, met with Wakata at the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency in Tokyo to participate in a memorabilia transition ceremony.

During the ceremony, a video summarising Wakata's 188 days at the ISS was screened before the man himself was greeted by Eisuke and Hanae.

From left Astronaut Koichi Wakata, Japanese ice hockey player Kubo Hanae and Japanese Olympic Committee executive director Hiraoka Eisuke ©Fort Kishimoto



Wakata then returned the JOC pennant to the pair along with a space flight certificate and souvenir memorabilia.

"We were many times over Sochi, where I was cheering from the sky," said Wakata.

Eisuke added: "I heard you cheering from space and I am thankful.

"What we left you is a good performance at the Sochi Games."

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