Weinberger Ends Pacific Tour, Cites Japan’s Assurances on Safeguarding Technology

Defense Secretary Caspar W. Weinberger said Monday that the United States and Japan will work together to keep an edge in anti-submarine warfare in the aftermath of Soviet purchase of Japanese machinery that makes quiet submarine propellers.

Weinberger, who completed an Asian and Pacific tour here, said he is very encouraged by assurances from Prime Minister Yasuhiro Nakasone, whom he met with Monday, that Tokyo views the case seriously and has taken “very firm and positive steps” to ensure that it does not happen again.

“We agreed to strengthen, improve and maintain the anti-submarine capabilities which we had, which is extremely important to maintain under the treaty of mutual cooperation and security.”

He refused to spell out what measures are planned.

Toshiba Machine Co., a subsidiary of the electronics giant Toshiba Corp., has been accused of selling the Soviet Union advanced milling machinery capable of manufacturing the stealthier propellers.

Japanese officials said the sales violated both their laws and rules of the Coordinating Committee for Export Control, which regulates exports to Communist nations.