Japanese billionaire calls off 'life partner' search for SpaceX trip around the moon

Those hoping to go on a date to the moon will have to find another partner. 

Japanese billionaire Yusaku Maezawa, who is supposed to be SpaceX's first private passenger for a trip around the moon, had hoped to find his "life partner" to join him on the voyage, but he called off the search Wednesday.

Maezawa did not specify why he was no longer proceeding with his matchmaking documentary, which had over 27,000 women applicants. He did cite it was due to "personal reasons."

"Despite my genuine and honest determination toward the show, there was a part of me that still had mixed feelings about my participation," Maezawa said on Twitter. "I understand that I have disappointed many people — the applicants and all the staff from AbemaTV who were involved in the production — and I apologize to everyone for my unfavorable actions. I am truly sorry from the bottom of my heart."

Maezawa posted the search on Jan. 12 when he tweeted: "[WANTED!!!] Why not be the 'first woman' to travel to the moon?"

While it looks like he'll be flying solo now, he should at least have the company of six to eight artists he plans on bringing to the moon with him. The mission will strictly be orbital.

Maezawa, founder of the popular online Japanese fashion mall known as Zozotown, was first announced by SpaceX as an investor in September 2018. If the plans proceed, he will be the first tourist to fly around the moon and back in SpaceX's next-generation Starship vehicle.

Antonia Jaramillo is a space reporter for FLORIDA TODAY. Contact Jaramillo at 321-242-3668 or antoniaj@floridatoday.com. Follow her on Twitter at @AntoniaJ_11.