kimiya yui is among three men who came become from the international space station. a russian soyuz capsule brought them down in kazakhstan. >> the japanese space agency says yui is in good physical condition. yui had a number of responsibilities while on board the iss. perhaps the most memorable was managing to catch hold of an unmanned cargo craft in august. nhk world's shunsuke ide reports. >> reporter: kimiya yui played a key role in helping japan's cargo ship dock with the iss. the cargo vessel was loaded with food, equipment and other supplies for the astronauts. his skillful operation of the robotic arm ensured the delivery was a success. >> we successfully captured the vehicle. looks like a golden treasure box. >> reporter: assisting yui from mission control in houston, texas, was fellow japanese astronaut koichi wakata. it was the first time japanese astronauts had worked together on earth and in space to dock a spacecraft. >> translator: he has a great sense of reading situations using skills acquired during his career as test pilot for japan's self-defense