Four convicted in Japan over nuclear device exprts

TOKYO, June 25 (Reuters) Four former executives of a Japanese company were found guilty today of illegally exporting devices that could be used in producing nuclear weapons, Japanese media said.

The former executives of Mitutoyo Corp, which makes precision-measuring equipment, were indicted last year on suspicion of exporting to Malaysia without a licence two devices that could be used in uranium enrichment.

The Tokyo District Court handed down suspended prison sentences of up to three years on former vice chairman Norio Takatsuji, 72, and three other former company officials, Kyodo news agency said.

Court officials could not be reached for comment.

Police investigated possible export routes from Japan after a Mitutoyo device was found at nuclear facilities in Libya.

Kyodo said several of the devices had been exported between October 2001 and July 2005.

REUTERS SKB VV1645