mushroomcloud said...

mushroomcloud at 03:20 AM JST - 1st October

Japan is getting closer to having it's own manned space program. Their first manned launch should happen soon, judging by what the J-press has been saying recently.

Posted in Astronaut Wakata reports on mission to space minister Maehara at 03:20 AM JST - 1st October
mushroomcloud at 12:01 AM JST - 28th September

'They made themselves the lead group for tackling international economic issues in the future, eclipsing the older, Western-dominated Group of Eight.'

The implications for Japan on having the G-8 replaced by the G-20 as the lead in tackling global economic issues is huge. Japan, along with the other members of…

Posted in G-20 leaders make economic pledges at 12:01 AM JST - 28th September
mushroomcloud at 11:53 PM JST - 27th September

Now that the G-20 has officially replaced the G-8 as the leading economic body of the world, the serious question for Japan is that, with it's power dramatically diluted with this change, what other organization can Japan rely on to be a member of which will not reduce her stature…

Posted in Hatoyama aiming to win support for new recovery plans at G-20 summit at 11:53 PM JST - 27th September
mushroomcloud at 11:48 PM JST - 27th September

Lack of available land.

End of story.

Posted in Space minister says new rocket launch site needed at 11:48 PM JST - 27th September
mushroomcloud at 10:11 AM JST - 23rd September

How come Hatoyama's pledge did not make the global headlines?

I only found his pledge within the bottom of this article:

"China and U.S. try to jumpstart stalled climate talks

UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) – World leaders tried to inject momentum into climate change talks on Tuesday but new proposals by…

Posted in Hatoyama pledges on world stage 25% emissions cut by 2020 at 10:11 AM JST - 23rd September
mushroomcloud at 04:51 AM JST - 21st September

Borrowed tech or not, Japan's latest feat is a nice achievement. Now if you can stick some humans in that cargo vehicle and send it to dock with the ISS, and have a return module to bring back some Japanese astronauts to earth, Japan will join the elite club of…

Posted in Japanese cargo vehicle successfully connected to int'l space station at 04:51 AM JST - 21st September
mushroomcloud at 01:41 AM JST - 19th September

japaneseno,

Japan doesn't have a manned space program, which is the barometer for rankings.

As it stands, #1 is the US, #2 is Russia, and #3 is China. These 3 countries make up the 1st tier of space powers since they actually have proven manned space programs.

Everyone else, and…

Posted in Japanese cargo vehicle successfully connected to int'l space station at 01:41 AM JST - 19th September
mushroomcloud at 10:05 AM JST - 14th September

Guess this will be a glimpse of what to look out for in China's Oct 1st parade:

"Upgraded intercontinental DF-31 nuclear missiles capable of striking Washington rolled on long-bed trucks along with advanced short-range DF-11 and DF-15 missiles, sea-skimming YJ-83 anti-ship missiles and DH-10 long-range cruise missiles ."

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090913/aponreas/aschinamilitaryparade

Posted in Japan concerned at weakening of U.S. nuclear umbrella at 10:05 AM JST - 14th September
mushroomcloud at 10:01 AM JST - 14th September

‘‘In light of the reality that China has been rapidly catching up in air and sea power balance...in addition to the rapid modernization of its nuclear capability, no-first-use should be come after or along with the commitment of a tangible nuclear threat reduction in the region,’’

Sad to say that…

Posted in Japan concerned at weakening of U.S. nuclear umbrella at 10:01 AM JST - 14th September
mushroomcloud at 12:06 AM JST - 14th September

UnagiDon,

I'm in general agreement with all your responses.

Posted in Japan successfully launches new rocket with 1st unmanned cargo vehicle at 12:06 AM JST - 14th September