The Mitutoyo Corp. trial that opened recently over the company's suspected export of devices that can be used in the production of nuclear arms has shed light on loopholes in Japan's export control system for militarily sensitive technology.
Mitutoyo and four former executives with the precision instrument maker went on trial last month specifically on charges of illegally exporting five computer-controlled three-dimensional measuring devices that can be used to make centrifuges to produce weapons-grade uranium.
The prosecutors' statement has detailed the techniques Mitutoyo used to fool customs officials into believing their 3-D machines' performances did not exceed the limits set by the Foreign Exchange and Foreign Trade Law.