Three former directors of a Tokyo manufacturer were arrested by the Hyogo Prefectural Police Headquarters for illegally exporting high-performance underwater detectors that could be used for military purposes such as submarines without the permission of the government. it was done.
Three people were arrested, including Yasushi Haraguchi (70), a former director of Sonic, a manufacturer headquartered in Mizuho-cho, Tokyo, and employees.
According to investigators, it is suspected of violating the Foreign Exchange Law in July last year for illegally exporting a high-performance underwater detector to Chile in South America.
Underwater detectors are devices that detect things in the water using sound waves, and are also called "sonars" and are also used in fishing boats, but those with a detectable distance of more than 5120 meters are diverted to military purposes such as submarines. Since there is a risk, it is necessary to apply to the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry for permission when exporting.
According to investigators, the exported underwater detectors outperformed but were not licensed.
The police are going to investigate the circumstances of the export.