The weapon is produced by Minebea Co., LTD, to serve as a replacement for the M3 Grease Gun, which was at the time, the main submachine gun for the Japan Self-Defense Forces (JSDF.) It was adopted for non-frontline proposes, such as a backup weapon for vehicle operators, and special operation units in 1999. It has been the main submachine gun for the JSDF, but since 2009, the JSDF have sought for possible, less-expensive alternatives, such as the Heckler & Koch MP5 to phase it out in the near future.