Japan's latest intelligence-gathering satellite successfully blasted off from the island of Tanegashima on Monday. 　　Media reports say the optical satellite is intended to help keep a closer eye on North Korea. The reports suggested it would be used to monitor North Korean military movements. 　　It could also be used to survey major disaster areas when needed.Japanese broadcaster TBS says it can take photos of the earth from space at night and in poor weather. 　　The Mainichi newspaper says it's cost more than 5.15 billion U.S. dollars to develop the satellite, and another 1.28 billion to blast it into space. 　　Japan's spy satellite programme began after North Korea launched a ballistic missile in 1998 that flew over its territory, and landed in the Pacific Ocean. (Paul Chapman/Reuters)