Japan skirts EC attack on US over pipeline ban

Japan has no intention of joining the European Community in attacking a US decision to extend a ban on sales of American technology to the Soviet Union, chief cabinet secretary Kiichi Miyazawa said.

Mr. Miyazawa was referring to the EC leaders' warning to President Reagan Tuesday that tough trade policies - including his ban on the use of US technology to build a Euro-Soviet gas pipeline - could damage US relations with Western Europe. The ban also affects a joint Japan-Soviet gas and oil development project.