Japan successfully launch cargo rocket

A Japanese rocket carrying supplies for the International Space Station has lifted off from a remote island in southern Japan.

The unmanned rocket, named Kounotori2 or White Stork, blasted off in the early hours of Saturday morning.

It is carrying nearly six tonnes of food, water, clothing and experimental equipment to the astronauts in orbit on the space station, an international project involving 15 nations.

After docking with the space station, dropping off its cargo and being loaded up with waste material, the transfer vehicle will be detached and burn itself up upon re-entering the Earth's atmosphere.

Kounotori2 is expected to reach the space station on Thursday.