AST Research Inc has created Japanese subsidiary to provide personal computer and peripheral add-ons, and is looking for a Japanese partner: the Irvine, California company has been running its products through a distributor up until now, and its plan for the new subsidiary is initilly continue to push its present IBM Personal-compatibles, then get involved with developing a NEC 9800-compatible or an AX machine, and in the third stage develop a product in accordance with Japanese requirements, and sell under own brand name.