Daily Yomiuri Online :: Tuesday, April 28, 2009

• Space policy to shift focus to practical use (Apr.28)
  A panel of experts reporting to the government's space development policy team approved Monday a draft basic plan on space development, in which they call for a shift of focus from research to practical use.
  The draft of the basic plan, the first to be devised since the Basic Law on Space took effect in August, also proposes the development of an early warning satellite system capable of detecting the firing of a missile, a proposal that comes in the wake of North Korea's recent missile launch. continued ...


• Dynastic politics at issue in poll / DPJ to point out many LDP lawmakers 'inherited' their seats (Apr.28)
  Imposing restrictions on "hereditary" candidacy has emerged as a contentious issue likely to receive close attention during campaigning for the next House of Representative election.
  Significant differences on the issue stem from the fact that the Liberal Democratic Party has a far larger number of hereditary lawmakers compared with the Democratic Party of Japan, adding an extra element of tension to debate over the matter. continued ...


• Dual-use satellite system should be promoted (Apr.28)
  A draft of the nation's first basic plan for space development emphasizes the policy of using space development to further national security and as a diplomatic tool.
  The draft compiled by the government's space development strategy panel, headed by Prime Minister Taro Aso, outlines specific measures to be taken in the next five years, while setting goals to be accomplished 10 years from now. continued ...