Yamaha Motor Co.'s alleged illegal export of unmanned helicopters to China shows the lack of awareness on the part of Japanese companies of how their technology could have military applications, an expert said Monday.
Remote-controlled choppers are subject to strict export curbs because of their potential ability to serve as chemical weapons platforms.
Japan, the U.S. and European nations established the Missile Technology Control Regime, or MTCR, in 1987 to limit the spread of missile and other technologies that may be used to carry weapons of mass destruction.
Currently 34 countries, including Japan, the U.S., Russia, Britain and Argentina are parties to the agreement. MTCR regulations include requiring exporters of unmanned helicopters with a payload of 300 kg or more to obtain government approval before exporting such aircraft.
In Japan, the foreign exchange and trade law requires exporters of such helicopters to obtain permission from the trade ministry.
In addition to unmanned helicopters, 200 to 300 export items are subject to various restrictions, including aluminum pipes that can be used in centrifuges to enrich uranium for nuclear weapons.
Experts have criticized Japanese companies for their lack of care over possible conversion of their technology to military use by foreign governments.
"Although some exporters are fully aware of what they are doing, many . . . that were caught (exporting) without permission appear to have shipped their products without knowing that they can be diverted to military use," said Kensuke Ebata, a visiting professor at Takushoku University.
Even if the helicopters are intended for crop spraying, the equipment may end up in the hands of terrorists, who could use them to deliver chemical weapons, if the products are not kept under strict monitoring and control, Ebata said, adding, "Japanese firms must be aware of such possibilities."
