Case dropped against one in Japanese-IBM case

The Justice Department dropped charges against a computer technician arrested in connection with the alleged Japanese conspiracy to obtain IBM computer secrets, US Attorney Joseph Russoniello said here.

The technician, Tomizoh Kimura of Mitsubishi, and 13 others were arrested in California last month on various charges which included setting up a false company. Mr. Russoniello said he asked that the charges against Mr. Kimura be dropped - the first time in the case this has happened - after concluding that the evidence against him was not sufficient to support an indictment.