July 8, 2014
Chief Cabinet Secretary Suga Yoshihide on July 7 at a press conference said that he will push the University of Tokyo, which bans itself from conducting research into defense technology, to cooperate with the state on weapons research and development.
The Defense Ministry in May requested a professor in aeronautical engineering at the university to take part in an investigation team working on flaws in the Kawasaki C-2 military transport aircraft which the ministry plans to purchase for the Self-Defense Forces. The university turned down the request because it has a policy to refrain from defense research.
The government spokesman said, “It is important for the state to develop relationships with universities and research institutes. We will keep making the request so that the university will voluntarily enter into a good working relationship with state.”
The Abe government is trying to make full use of academic institutions for weapons research and development. In March this year, the Defense Ministry made agreements on defense technology studies with the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) and the Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology (JAMSTEC). The ministry in last month expressed its intention to promote cooperation on military research among industry, government, and academia.
Past related article
> Oceanographic institute will develop unmanned military boats despite its own peace policy [April 18, 2014]
The Defense Ministry in May requested a professor in aeronautical engineering at the university to take part in an investigation team working on flaws in the Kawasaki C-2 military transport aircraft which the ministry plans to purchase for the Self-Defense Forces. The university turned down the request because it has a policy to refrain from defense research.
The government spokesman said, “It is important for the state to develop relationships with universities and research institutes. We will keep making the request so that the university will voluntarily enter into a good working relationship with state.”
The Abe government is trying to make full use of academic institutions for weapons research and development. In March this year, the Defense Ministry made agreements on defense technology studies with the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) and the Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology (JAMSTEC). The ministry in last month expressed its intention to promote cooperation on military research among industry, government, and academia.
Past related article
> Oceanographic institute will develop unmanned military boats despite its own peace policy [April 18, 2014]
