Japan has already introduced three information-gathering satellites in the wake of a missile launch by Democratic People's Republic of Korea, and the latest one will replace the No. 2 satellite which has passed its use-by date, Kydo News said.

　　The development cost of the fourth satellite has reached 35.9 billion yen and its launch expenses have come to 10.4 billion yen, according to the government.

　　The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd. were forced to put off the launch three times during the past four weeks due to the approach of a powerful typhoon and discovery of a system glitch. The rocket was initially scheduled to be sent into orbit on Aug. 28.