Japan to launch its first lunar orbiter

Japan is set to launch its first lunar orbiter this summer, but exploring the moon is just part of the mission.

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The other goal is to catch up with China, the new leader in Asia's space race.

Japan's space agency JAXA announced last week that the much-delayed SELENE probe will be launched in August aboard an H-2A rocket, the mainstay of Japan's space program.

Well in the unmanned arena, I don't think China is the leader..
With Japan having expertise in key areas including ownership of the largets module on the ISS(Kibo?).
They have also launched a range of probes to monitor solar activity etc..
They've got good experience on solar sail craft as well.
They've tried stuff like latching onto asteroids and all..

Japan' space doctrine is looking into cutting edge research rather than developing indigenous versions of already achieved space tech like indigneous manned launch capability etc etc..