ETS-VIII was developed by JAXA in cooperation with NICT and NTT.

The aim of ETS-VIII was to enable satellite communications with small terminals.

Unlike the Iridium satellites for mobile communication, ETS-VIII was positioned at GEO.

However to fulfill the task, it was essential that the satellite carried two very large antennas.

It was the first use of the 204 configuration (four strap-on boosters) of the H-IIA launch vehicle.