Japanese police on Tuesday raided a Tokyo-based company over allegations that it exported to China technical hardware that could have military applications, reports said.

Police entered the headquarters and other offices of Intertec, which sells used electronic devices, including machines that produce semiconductors, according to footage broadcast by major television networks.

They suspect the company last year exported to China 500 units of a particular second-hand machine that produces semiconductors, some of which included programmes that can be used for military purposes, according to Jiji Press and other major media.

Intertec had exported the products without the required authorisation from the industry minister, reports said.

A special permit from the government is necessary to export products that can be used to produce military-related goods, with exports to China and North Korea, with which Japan has tense ties, an especially sensitive issue.

Police and the company declined to comment.