TOKYO (REUTERS) - Applications to become Japanese billionaire Yusaku Maezawa's girlfriend have topped 20,000, streaming service AbemaTV said on Thursday (Jan 16), ahead of its documentary on his search for a "life partner" to take on his moon voyage.

Mr Maezawa, who will be the first private passenger on Mr Elon Musk's SpaceX, has already generated huge social media buzz with a US$9 million (S$12.12 million) giveaway to his followers that secured his position as Japan's foremost Twitter celebrity.