JAPANESE OFFICIAL TAKES DATA TO MICROCHIP TALKSMinistry of International Trade and Industry (MITI) Vice Minister Makoto Kuroda leaves for Washington today with data he hopes will refute U.S
Charges Japan has violated a pact on microchip trade
    A three-man Japanese trade team is already in Washington laying the groundwork for talks between Kuroda and Deputy U.S
Trade Representative Michael Smith aimed at persuading the U.S
Not to impose tariffs on certain Japanese products
    But Kuroda said he is taking no new proposals
"I have nothing in my briefcase except an explanation of the current situation," Kuroda told the daily newspaper Asahi Shimbun
    Kuroda said the U.S
Decision was based on incorrect data and an exaggerated sense of MITI's power to control market forces
"The U.S
Has excessive expectations
To stabilise supply-demand relations which have been disrupted by excess inventories since 1985 will take some time," he said
    Kuroda also laid part of the blame for low U.S
Chip sales in Japan on a lack of effort by American firms here
    He said if he fails in talks tomorrow and Friday to forestall sanctions, he will seek further talks with U.S
Trade Representative Clayton Yeutter
U.S
Officials said this week's talks are unlikely to delay imposition of tariffs
 REUTER
