I think it was something about KMF blueprints, which eventually led to the development of the Japanese Burai. Makes sense, considering that the Burai is basically a cheap knock-off of the Sutherland, but as to how he got the blueprints/technology/whatever in the first place, I think it had something to do with how Marianne was connected to the Ashfords' KMF development.

Don't remember source, though, sorry.