The A4N was powered by the Nakajima Hikari 1 nine-cylinder air-cooled radial piston engine, coupled to a Hamilton two blade metal propeller, and it was armed with 7.7 mm caliber Type 97 machine guns.

[6][7] In addition to bombing the Panay, they also strafed the lifeboat evacuating wounded to shore.

[7] The USS Panay was evacuating nationals and foreigners, as Japanese aircraft were there in Shanghai because of the Sino-Japanese war, with the incident being resolved diplomatically.

In the Second Sino-Japanese War, A4Ns were used to escort G3M medium bombers starting in August, after they proved vulnerable to the Chinese Air Force.

[8] Data from Japanese Aircraft, 1910–1941[1]General characteristics Performance Armament