U.S. Seeks Military-Civilian Technology Swap With Japan

A senior U.S. Defense Department official disclosed Wednesday that the United States is seeking Japanese technology that can be used to develop commercial products in exchange for American know-how to help Japan build an antimissile system against North Korea.

If such a deal is concluded, it would be the first military-for-commercial technology swap between the two allies.

John M. Deutch, undersecretary of defense for acquisition and technology, said he met officials of three Japanese ministries to continue discussions on the American proposal, which he said was made in May. No announcement was made at that time. When the proposal was revealed in August, no reference was made publicly to the American quest for Japanese technology.

Deutch described Japanese antimissile technology as “quite low” and said the American offer would “greatly increase (Japanese) access to U.S. defense technology.”

The United States is planning to spend $12 billion over the next five years to develop an advanced antimissile system of its own and hopes to engage Japan in that program, the Defense Department official said. He also indicated that Washington would make a similar offer to South Korea.

The last such defense technology offer the United States made to Japan--to help it develop a new mainstay jet fighter for its air force--precipitated an eruption of protest in Congress. Charges that America was “giving away” technology to an economic competitor nearly sabotaged a deal in 1989 to jointly develop the aircraft.

“The current North Korea capability in tactical ballistic missiles and the future possibility that these missiles can carry nuclear, chemical or biological warheads is one of the major security dangers of the future,” Deutch said. “The threat will be in this area for a long time.”

In June, North Korea, which is believed to be developing nuclear weapons, test-fired a Rodong-1 missile capable of traveling 625 miles--or as far as western Japan. It is believed to be working on an improved version that could hit Osaka and Nagoya.

Deutch did not mention it, but U.S. officials are known to fear that the North Korean moves might encourage Japan to develop nuclear weapons of its own.