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Caliber | 9 x 19 mm |
| Weight (empty) | 2.8 kg | |
| Length | 399 mm | |
| Length (with folded stock) | – | |
| Barrel length | 120 mm | |
| Muzzle velocity | ? | |
| Cyclic rate of fire | 1 100 rpm | |
| Practical rate of fire | 30 – 100 rpm | |
| Magazine capacity | 25 rounds | |
| Sighting range | ? | |
| Range of effective fire | 50 – 100 m |
The Minebea MP-9 submachine gun was developed by Japanese Minebea Co. It has been adopted by the Japanese Ground Self-Defense Forces in the early 1990s. It replaced the ageing M3 SMGs in service with the JGSDF. This weapon is mainly issued with secondary and support units, such as vehicle drivers, tank and artillery crews, as a personal defense weapon. It is also employed by special operations forces. Japan is the only operator of this submachine gun, as this country laws do not allow to export military equipment. It seems that currently this submachine gun is no longer produced. Some sources suggest, that JGSDF is looking to replace this weapon with new high-performance SMG and the MP-9 is due to be phased out.
The Minebea MP-9 is a license- produced version, based on the IMI Mini Uzi. It is worth mentioning that in the early 1990s Uzi was highly regarded as a good weapon. The MP-9 is an open bolt, blowback operated, selective fire weapon. This SMG is chambered for 9 x 19 mm round. This weapon is simple in design and technology.
Magazine is housed in the pistol handle. This feature makes weapon shorter and reloading becomes more intuitive. The MP-9 is fed from 25 round box-type magazines.