Japanese Technical Literature Act of 1986
PL 99-382 (S.1073), enacted 08/14/1986

PUBLIC LAW 99-382—AUG. 14, 1986 
100 STAT. 811 
Public Law 99-382 
99th Congress 
An Act 
To amend the Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980 for the purpose 
of improving the availability of Japanese science and engineering literature in the 
United States, and for other purposes. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled. That this Act may 
be cited as the "Japanese Technical Literature Act of 1986". 
SEC. 2. Section 5 of the Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation 
Act of 1980 (15 U.S.C. 3704) is amended— 
(1) by redesignating subsection (d) as subsection (e); and 
(2) by inserting immediately after subsection (c) the following 
new subsection: 
"(d) JAPANESE TECHNICAL LITERATURE.—(1) In addition to the 
duties specified in subsection (c), the Secretary shall establish and, 
through the National Technical Information Service and such other 
offices within the Department of Commerce as the Secretary consid-
ers appropriate, maintain a program (including an office in Japan) 
which shall, on a continuing basis— 
"(A) monitor Japanese technical activities and developments; 
"(B) consult with businesses, professional societies, and librar-
ies in the United States regarding their needs for information 
on Japanese developments in technology and engineering; 
"(C) acquire and translate selected Japanese technical reports 
and documents that may be of value to agencies and depart-
ments of the Federal Government, and to businesses and 
researchers in the United States; and 
"(D) coordinate with other agencies and departments of the 
Federal Government to identify significant gaps and avoid 
duplication in efforts by the Federal Government to ac-
quire, translate, index, and disseminate Japanese technical 
information. 
Activities undertaken pursuant to subparagraph (C) of this para-
graph shall only be performed on a cost-reimbursable basis. Trans-
lations referred to in such subparagraph shall be performed only to 
the extent that they are not otherwise available from sources within 
the private sector in the United States. 
"(2) Beginning in 1986, the Secretary shall prepare annual reports 
regarding important Japanese scientific discoveries and technical 
innovations in such areas as computers, semiconductors, bio-
technology, and robotics and manufacturing. In preparing such 
reports, the Secretary shall consult with professional societies and 
businesses in the United States. The Secretary may, to the extent 
provided in advance by appropriation Acts, contract with private 
organizations to acquire and translate Japanese scientific and tech-
nical information relevant to the preparation of such reports. 
"(3) The Secretary also shall encourage professional societies and 
private businesses in the United States to increase their efforts to 
Aug. 14, 1986 
[S. 1073] 
Japanese 
Technical 
Literature Act 
of 1986. 
Science and 
technology. 
15 u s e 3701 
note. 
Reports. 
Contracts. 
100 STAT. 812 
PUBLIC LAW 99-382—AUG. 14, 1986 
Public 
information. 
Reports. 
Appropriations 
authorization. 
acquire, screen, translate, and disseminate Japanese technical 
literature. 
"(4) In addition, the Secretary shall compile, publish, and dissemi-
nate an annual directory which lists— 
"(A) all programs and services in the United States that 
collect, abstract, translate, and distribute Japanese scientific 
and technical information; and 
"(B) all translations of Japanese technical documents per-
formed by agencies and departments of the Federal Govern-
ment in the preceding 12 months that are available to the 
public. 
"(5) The Secretary shall transmit to the Congress, within 1 year 
after the date of enactment of the Japanese Technical Literature 
Act of 1986, a report on the activities of the Federal Government to 
collect, abstract, translate, and distribute declassified Japanese sci-
entific and technical information.". 
SEC. 3. There is authorized to be appropriated for fiscal year 1987 
the sum of $1,000,000 to carry out the purpose of this Act. 
Approved August 14, 1986. 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY—S. 1073: 
HOUSE REPORTS: No. 99-618 (Comm. on Science and Technology). 
SENATE REPORTS: No. 99-175 (Comm. on Commerce, Science, and Transportation). 
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD: 
Vol. 131 (1985): Nov. 23, considered and passed Senate. 
Vol. 132 (1986): June 23, considered and passed House, amended. 
Aug. 1, Senate concurred in House amendment. 
WEEKLY COMPILATION OF PRESIDENTIAL DOCUMENTS, Vol. 22 (1986): 
Aug. 14, Presidential statement.