* Astronomy

In May 2008, the Diet enacted a basic law on space without rousing sufficient public debate. Representing a drastic departure from Japan's traditional "peaceful purposes only" space policy, the law paves the way for extensive use of space for security purposes, especially missile defence.
A panel at the government's space development strategy headquarters headed by Prime Minister Taro Aso has announced a draft of the basic plan on space. Conspicuous in the draft is wider use of space by the Self-Defence Forces.

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