TOKYO - Japan launched an H-2A rocket carrying a radar satellite on Monday morning, the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) said.

A H-2A rocket carrying Japan's radar satellite blasts off from the launching pad at Tanegashima Space Center on Dec 12, 2011. [Photo/Agencies]

According to the agency, the rocket was launched at 10:21 local time (0121 London time) from Tanegashima Space Center in the southwestern Kagoshima Prefecture.

The radar satellite launch was believed to be an attempt by the Japanese government to hone its intelligence-gathering capabilities. It will also play a role in collecting data on natural disasters.

The launch was initially scheduled on Sunday but was postponed due to bad weather, the JAXA said.