The Defense Ministry raided Mitsubishi Electric Corp.'s plant in Kamakura, Kanagawa Prefecture, on Tuesday after the company admitted overcharging in relation to defense and space-related projects commissioned by the ministry, the Cabinet Satellite Intelligence Center and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency.

During the investigation, around 20 inspectors will question the company's officials and check documents related to the missile project, officials said.

The Tokyo-based company also padded personnel costs for both projects, prompting the ministry and the center to ban it from bidding for their procurement projects.

Defense Minister Naoki Tanaka told a news conference he will take preventive measures.

The Kamakura plant develops and makes equipment for the ministry as well as satellites.

Osprey test flights

KYODO

Defense Minister Naoki Tanaka said Tuesday the government will look into conducting test flights of the MV-22 Osprey vertical takeoff and landing aircraft at a U.S. base in Okinawa before its full deployment there this year.

Local residents have expressed concerns over the plane's noise and safety given the aircraft's history of fatal crashes during test flights.

Tanaka told a Diet session that he views as "necessary" such test flights at U.S. Marine Corps Air Station Futenma to check how much noise will be generated, and will consider this after consulting with the U.S. government and local residents.