Dec. 8 (Bloomberg) -- Abdul Qadeer Khan, a scientist regarded as the father of Pakistan's atomic program, said he obtained key components for nuclear enrichment when he visited Japan, Kyodo News reported.

Khan obtained ``several important parts'' from Japanese companies while visiting Japan in 1984, he told Kyodo. Pakistan is believed to have succeeded in producing enriched uranium in 1985, Kyodo said, without citing the source of its information. Khan also bought equipment that ensures a steady supply of energy to enrichment facilities on a visit in 1977, Kyodo said.

Khan has been under house arrest since 2004 after the International Atomic Energy Agency presented the Pakistani government with evident the scientist sold nuclear technology to Iran, Libya and North Korea.

The scientist earlier this year recanted a confession he gave after the evidence was presented. Pakistan, which tested an atomic bomb in 1998, said in June its investigation into Khan's smuggling ring is closed.

To contact the reporter on this story: Taku Kato in Tokyo at tkato6@bloomberg.net.

Last Updated: December 7, 2008 22:28 EST