Japan on Monday launched one of the world's largest geostationary satellites in a bid to improve mobile telephone reception in remote areas. The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency launched the H-2A rocket at 3:32 pm (0632 GMT) as planned after a postponement Saturday due to cloudy weather at the launch site at Tanegashima in southern Japan.

The experimental satellite, which is known as Kiku Number 8, is the largest built by Japan's space agency. It weighs 5.8 tons and is 40 meters (131 feet) long.

"The satellite successfully separated from the rocket about 30 minutes after the launch of the rocket," space agency spokesman Naohiko Kotake told a news conference at Tanegashima station.

"From this point on, the satellite will continue its flight toward a stationary orbit," he said with a beaming grin as he shook hands with colleagues.

Kiku Number 8's antennas, among the longest ever developed for a satellite, are its key attribute, an agency statement said.

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