Though the U.S. and Japan Celebrated

As China has succeeded in launching a manned spacecraft into orbit, the U.S.’ domination as a leader in space development is losing its grip and also Japan’s desire to be the first Asian country to achieve this failed.

U.S holding China in check: The U.S. worries about the possibility for China to leap as a great military country through its success of launching a manned spacecraft and to grow to become a strong rival of the U.S., Reuters reported on October 15.

The U.S. said in the comment of the Department of State that it paid China compliments and congratulated it as a “historical work,” however deep down inside, a look of tension is clear.

Reuters reported “The U.S. is trying to reduce the military meaning of success of launching a spacecraft” quoting from the Authority of Administration Department because in the long run, spacecraft technology can be used for military purposes such as developing highly-efficient rockets. The U.S. Department of Defense has been recently concerned that “Chinese space assets will play a main role in preventing foreign intervention in military use for Taiwan.”

Military authorities warn even of the possibility of “space war.”

“Other countries with space power are potential threats to the U.S. security,” Edward Anderson the deputy commander of the north headquarter, said on October 15.

“If the U.S. meets a strong nation with space strategy capability, then space war will occur. It will be real in 20 years,” Ricci Haber, chief of staff for Donald Rumsfeld, U.S. Secretary of Defense, expected that same day.

Japan in envy: “It is possible for Japan to launch a spacecraft in four or five years if the government budget supports it,” Japan space authorities responded as if they underestimated China’s success. They consider landing upon the descent back to earth by releasing a parachute to be old style.

Yomiuri introduced these responses of Japanese experts on October 17 and reported that the words of “Japan can lose to China as it is. Japan needs to develop a manned spacecraft too” is getting stronger.

Yomiuri also reported, “The great crust change has occurred in world space development as a Chinese manned spacecraft launch bearing military purpose in mind has succeeded” and urged countermeasure to government. “It is the time to debate a space developing strategy with an eye for long term without stopping manned spacecraft launching.”

“The Chinese military banned the press from collecting data and TV live broadcasting. Space technique under military control may be used for non-peaceful purposes,” Mainichi worried.

China made a boast of success in launching a manned spacecraft as a symbol of a technically advanced county, but it is an unbalanced county which is contradictory to its image as a developing county yet trying to continue to secure foreign aid, the newspaper said, making cynical remarks concerning this.

hanscho@donga.com havefun@donga.com