Japan has been a space nation since 1970 when it launched its first satellite - Japanese customers in space

"Japan has long been one of the world's leading space-faring nations
— having launched its first satellite in 1970"



Source:Japan scores first commercial satellite order,
By MARI YAMAGUCHI, The Associated Press,
The Japan Times: Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2009
http://search.japantimes.co.jp/print/nn20090114a6.html





Further reading:




Book - Japan's Space Program












See Japan at Motorcycle Japan