Japan warns Sumitomo for leak of machine gun blueprints to China

Japan has warned Sumitomo Heavy Industries Ltd. and a subcontracted firm for violating its foreign exchange and trade control law in leaking blueprints for military-use machine gun parts to a Chinese company.

The weapon, if selected, was to be produced cured for Japan's Ground Self-Defense Force.

Some component blueprints were given by Sumitomo Heavy to the subcontractor, who shared those with the Chinese firm without authorization.

Sumitomo Heavy had bid to procure the machine guns but withdrew its participation due to the inadequacy of the deal and lack of business prospects.

The subcontractor claimed it was not aware the parts were for weapons.

Moving forward, Sumitomo Heavy vowed to thoroughly supervise its subcontractors.

Chief Cabinet Secretary Katsunobu Kato, the government’s top spokesman, said they will deal with it appropriately.