Yusaku Maezawa net worth and Zozotown: Who is Elon Musk's first SpaceX tourist?

Elon Musk has announced that Japanese billionaire Yusaku Maezawa is to be the first tourist his company will launch into space.

The SpaceX owner unveiled the mystery passenger at an event on Monday. Whilst it is not clear how much the trip will cost, Musk said Maezawa's deposit was "significant."

An excited Maezawa told the audience "I choose to go to the moon!"

Here's everything you need to know about Yusaku Maezawa and his trip to into space:

How did Yusaku Maezawa make his money?

Maezawa started selling imported CDs and records in 1995 before launching his company Start Today three years later.

In 2004, he founded Japan's largest online fashion mall, Zozotown, which is now a publicly traded company listed by the Tokyo Stock Exchange. Maezawa owns about 38 per cent of the company.

This year, Yusaka launched Zozo in 72 countries worldwide.

Making his millions from Zozo allowed him to pursue his love of art collecting. In 2012, he famously spent $80 million on paintings by Jean-Michel Basquiat and Pablo Picasso.

What is Yusaku Maezawa's net worth?

Maezawa's net worth is estimated at $2.9 billion, according to Forbes. This would make him the 14th richest person in Japan.

When is Yusaku Maezawa flying into space?

Maezawa's trip is planned for 2023, although Elon Musk is notorious for setting ambitious launch dates that his company struggle to meet.

As part of a project called Dear Moon, Maezawa is arranging for six to eight artists from various backgrounds to accompany him to space. Maezawa said he hoped the moon would inspire them to create great work.

Is Yusaku Maezawa the first space tourist?

No - in 2001 Dennis Tito spent eight days on board the International Space Station after paying a reported $20 million for the trip.

Six other individuals have also paid to fly on a Russian Soyuz capsule to the ISS.