I think they first tried to launch these spy satellites back in 2003 to spy on Korea and unfortunately their rocket exploded, they had another dramatic failure with H2 but that was back in 1999


This was to be Japan's big workhorse rocket launching interplanetary mission and other large payload like the H-II Transfer Vehicle for the ISS, but the H2 has been lacking in payload and reliablity, which is kind of embarrassing for Japan considering the Chinese, Indians and N.Koreans now have their eyes on new launchers.


I've read they have started to get back on track with a successful H-IIA launch this year in 2006 and the H2 is making a bit of a comeback.