With Japan's space industry in tatters following years of neglect by the government, Japan's leading defence contractor, Mitsubishi Group has been quick to step in with detailed plans to build a series of "information-gathering satellites".

The timing of the Korean incident is mana from heaven for Mitsubishi, as it will allow the company to lock in significant government funding for the first phase of it's telecommunication satellite commercialization plan - a market which it hopes to enter by 2005.

Although the proposed spy satellites will be LEO birds at orbits of 500 Kms, they will nonetheless make use of large satellite buses that could be partly based on a standard commercial bus or be used as a test bed for Mitsubishi's first commercial bus.

Given Japan's unfailing commitment to the International Space Station, it is unlikely that the US will object to Japan building its own defence related satellites even if they are to be used to assist Japanese industry break into the commercial satellite industry. But whether US contractors will allowed to supply any sub systems remains open to question given the obvious commercial danger of technology leakage and reverse engineering by Japanese prime contractors.

Former Japanese foreign minister Taro Nakayama plans to visit America in November to discuss possibly importing US satellites or technology, reported The Japan Times.

Support for the plan fits well with the Japanese government's public works program, which for once will be used to build future industries rather than allow LDP-voting, under-employed farmers concrete more rivers and coastlines.

The LDP has already signaled its support for the plan and quick action can be expected on changing Japan's space law which currently prohibits Japan participating in any militiary space activities.

But, with the satellites being touted as "information-gathering satellites" it's possible a new interpration of Japan's space law - which like most Japanese laws is deliberately vague - will enable the spysat program to go ahead under a simple minisiteral guideline. The rump of the traditional socialist oppostion parties can be expected to make a few objections, and if serious enough, could force the government to draft new legislation.

But with unemployment at 4.3% and the US economy continuing to zoom ahead of Japan, the move is possibly the first positive sign for Japan's space industry in many years.