Friday, Dec. 22, 2006

Japan, U.S. to formalize exchange of global topographic data

Kyodo News

Japan and the United States will sign documents Friday to exchange detailed global topographic data -- a move apparently aimed at sharing information specifically on North Korea and China, sources involved with bilateral relations said Thursday.

The move follows changes in the security environment in East Asia due to North Korea's missile and nuclear tests earlier this year as well as the Chinese navy's increased activities in the Pacific, the sources said.

The main information to be exchanged for the time being is expected to focus on images of North Korea's nuclear-related facilities and missile bases as well as the movements of the country's missile units.

The two countries have agreed to share wide-ranging information, including on terrain, waterways, the latest geographical survey data, area names, aerial routes, earth magnetism and water depths in areas including the East China Sea, they said.

As part of general information exchanges so far, the U.S. government had mainly provided military intelligence satellite images to Japan, while Japan had provided data collected through radio transmissions monitored by the Self-Defense Forces, but there had been no clear written accord on the practice, according to Foreign Ministry sources.

Following the signing of the accord, the United States is expected to continue mainly providing satellite information, while Japan is expected to mainly provide data collected by the Maritime Self-Defense Force and Japan Coast Guard on water channels with an eye on movements by the Chinese navy.

In the future, Japan may be asked to provide geographic data on developing countries, the sources said.

After diplomatic authorities of the two countries sign notes exchanged Friday, the Defense Agency and the U.S. geographical data authority are expected to sign a memorandum of understanding. The accord is believed to have stipulated that the information exchanged between the two countries be kept confidential.

http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-b...0061222a5.html

Jag