JAPAN: A rocket carrying Japan's first two spy satellites blasted off yesterday in an intelligence-gathering effort which some fear could prompt neighbouring North Korea to test-fire a ballistic missile.
The satellites, one optical and one radar-equipped, separated from the rocket and went into orbit as planned, but will not be fully operational for several months.
North Korea's Foreign Ministry said the move was a "hostile act", and warned that Tokyo would be responsible for sparking a news arms race in north-east Asia.
"The satellite launch deprived Japan of any justification and qualification to talk about the DPRK'S [North Korea's\] satellite launch. Japan will be held wholly responsible for sparking a new arms race in north-east Asia," said a foreign ministry statement
The satellite deployment was planned after Pyongyang's 1998 firing of a Taepodong ballistic missile, which passed over Japan and landed in the Pacific Ocean.
Japan plans to launch two more spy satellites later in the year in the $2 billion project.