It is also counting on a highly secretive manned space program to put it on a technological par with the West. In North Korea's case, whether the communist nation actually put a satellite into orbit last summer or was merely testing a long-range ballistic missile remains a matter of some debate. Japanese officials prefer not to comment on whether they are being drawn into a regional space race. But government reaction to the new threat from North Korea indicates that is indeed the case. But the program has been plagued by bureaucratic wrangling, cost overruns and technical difficulties.
Many experts say technical snags are a normal part of any space program and nothing to worry about.
Nakano said he is confident the new H-2A rocket, which Japan plans to launch soon on the commercial market, will put it on the level of European commercial launchers. The sense of competition is just about to begin.