Eyeing a future in which it may send poets into space to extol the beauty of the stars, Japan's national space agency is looking to expand its horizons by dropping its past requirement for a science major for potential astronauts as it launches its first recruitment drive in 13 years.

"For the new age, with eyes fixed toward lunar exploration, we will select astronauts based on whether they can adapt to their missions rather than whether they are science or humanities majors," Kazuyoshi Kawasaki, a senior official for the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency's Human Spaceflight Technology department, said during an online event in February.

JAXA, which will begin recruitment for its astronaut program this fall, has in the past looked only to groups such as medical doctors, engineers and pilots, but sees future endeavors such as lunar exploration as providing a growing stage for astronaut activities.