Japanese Authorities Arrest Man for Attempted Biological Weapons-Related Technology Export

A man was arrested in Japan today for smuggling equipment that could be used to produce biological weapons, the Associated Press reported.

The man said he knew the freeze dryer he is charged with shipping to North Korea in 2002 had potential military applications. Freeze dryers can be used to dry bacteria for biological weapons, according to Kyodo News.

The man did not obtain approval from the Japanese Trade Ministry for the shipment and allegedly hid the transaction from authorities by using a Taiwanese trading house, Kyodo reported (Associated Press, Aug. 10).