Japan hopes to develop new computer software in cooperation with China and South Korea to make Asian economies less dependent on Microsoft Corp.'s Windows operating system, government officials said Sunday.
The software would be built into computer servers and Internet-enabled appliances, such as next-generation cell phones, the officials said.
Computer worms have been attacking Windows recently, prompting government offices and major companies to reconsider their heavy dependence on the operating system.
Economy, Trade and Industry Minister Takeo Hiranuma will propose the plan to his Chinese and South Korean counterparts during talks Wednesday on the sidelines of an expanded meeting of trade ministers from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations in Phnom Penh.
Japan has initiated private-sector studies on developing operating systems with the United States and European nations, but has never launched this kind of tieup with China and South Korea.
If the three countries agree on the plan, the governments will start full-fledged preparations with the participation of experts from telecom carriers and machinery equipment makers.