According to the Nikkei, which does not cite sources, Japan will compensate corporations for keeping
secret patents with potential military applications under proposed legislation.
According to the financial daily, the patents under consideration in the proposed economic security law
will include technology that can aid in the development of nuclear weapons, such as uranium
enrichment and cutting-edge innovations like quantum technology.
When approached by Reuters outside of business hours, the Prime Minister’s Office, the Cabinet
Secretariat, and the Japan Patent Office were unavailable for comment.
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida promised last month that the country’s economic security would be a top
concern.
According to the Nikkei, his government will compensate enterprises affected by the act with about 20
years of licencing income.
According to the newspaper, the legislation’s structure will be issued as early as next month, with
cabinet approval expected in February and implementation beginning in April 2023.
