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TOKYO, Oct 12 (AFP): Japan congratulated China on the successful launch of a second manned space mission Wednesday, brushing aside concerns that it might lead to an increased military threat from its regional rival.
"We congratulate (China) from the bottom of our heart," Chief Cabinet Secretary Hiroyuki Hosoda told a news conference in Tokyo after the launch of the Shenzhou VI vessel.
"We are pleased to see them succeed in the second mission using highly difficult technology," Hosoda said. "We wish them a safe return and achievement of their goal."
Some observers say rapid development of China's space technology may lead to an increased military threat to neighboring countries including Japan.
But Hosoda said there was "almost no relation" between the success of the launch and a potential increase in threat posed by Beijing's military.
Asked if China had taken a big lead in Asia's space industry race against Japan, Hosoda said: "There is a difference in technology between manned space craft and a satellite launch. We cannot compete on both at one time."
Japan has chosen to concentrate on satellites and other unmanned technology to observe the earth, which it says is less costly and more beneficial.
Japan heaved a sigh of relief in February after it successfully launched its first satellite since a 2003 failure.
With the success, Japan is now expected to develop its own manned space craft, similar to the US Space Shuttle, and eventually develop a space station on the moon in 2025.
The Chinese craft with two astronauts aboard was scheduled to orbit the Earth for nearly five days before landing in Inner Mongolia.
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