Hughes satellite parts were ordered for Japan.

Japan Communications Satellite announced that it placed the order with Hughes Communications for long-lead items required for the construction of a $300-million domestic satellite communications system. The company, a joint venture of C. Itoh & Co., Mitsui & Co. and Hughes, recently submitted business and radio applications to the Ministry of Post and Telecommunications seeking approval to operate in Japan. Although that approval has not yet been granted, the purchase order was submitted to assure a target satellite launch date of December, 1987.