TOKYO - A Tokyo trading house has been raided by police on suspicion the site attempted to export a part used in weapons of mass destruction, sources say.

Unidentified investigative sources said Kanagawa Prefectural Police raided the Toko Boeki trading house in Tokyo's Shinjuku Ward amid allegations the site attempted to export a magnetic measurement device to North Korea, Kyodo News said Friday.

The alleged attempt to export the device, which can be used in weapons of mass destruction such as missiles, violated Japan's foreign trade control law.

The company behind the trading house allegedly attempted to complete the suspected export deal despite a request to the contrary from Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry.

The ministry reportedly asked the company to seek official permission to export the device before attempting to send it to North Korea.

Kyodo News said the ministry has very strict regulations in place in regards to the proposed export of items or technologies that can be applied to the creation of weapons of mass destruction.

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