The rocket was launched at 1:34 p.m. local time (4:34 GMT), which was broadcast live by the country's space agency, Sputnik reported.
The rocket is expected to bring IGS-Optical 6 satellite, manufactured by Mitsubishi Electric, into the orbit, as part of the national Information Gathering Satellite (IGS) program.
The satellite will be able to record the surface of the Earth in daylight.
Japan is spending about $500 million a year on the development and production of reconnaissance satellites, partly out of concern over North Korea's missile tests.