Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama on Thursday called astronaut Soichi Noguchi, who is aboard the International Space Station on a fkive-month mission.
"I think there will be no more conflict if people from around the world visit the space station and look at planet Earth," Hatoyama said to Noguchi from his official residence.
Noguchi replied, "Looking down on Earth from here, I have come to realize how important it is for people to work together to make our world beautiful."
During his stay at the station, which is scheduled until May, Noguchi, 44, will be involved in scientific studies making use of the space environment and engage in the installment of the robotic arms on Japan's Kibo laboratory module.