Japanese Guns

[Doc]

While I know that guns are illegal in Japan, I was wondering if anybody could tell me what the exact weapons are that the police and military use. I'm curious to see what guns they still use, and how far ahead or behind they are in the times. I remember once finding a website that told what handguns and rifles the police and military used, but the site is no longer up.:( I know that the Japanese military uses the Type 89 assult rifle, but that's about it. Anyway, if anybody could tell me I'd appricate it.:-)

Doc

[NANGI]

Konnichiwa Doc-san!

Yes, Japanese military has the Type 89 assult rifle and SIG P220 handgun.

NANGI

[Doc]

Thank's for the reply Nangi!:-) Now that you mention it I remember that the military used Sig. Tell me is the P220 the old 9X19mm that they don't make anymore or the .45 ACP, that the military uses? I heard on the grapevine that they were slowly phasing the P220s out for the P226. (Speaking of which, the P226 and P229 have become the standard issue sidearms for the Department of Homeland Security now. Not only that but the P228 is used by the Navy, and is also used by several officers in the other branches of the military.) I also heard that the Japanese police were offered a specially made P229 that looks, feels, and is designed the same way as the P230 and P232. Tell me do they still use those old .38 revolvers? (I forgot the brand name.) Sorry to bombard you with all those questions! :sorry: Thanks again for the reply.:-)

Doc

[Hiroyuki Nagashima]

SAT Special Assault Team：日本警察特殊急襲隊
http://www5f.biglobe.ne.jp/~sbu/DATABASE-JAPAN-SAT.htm
Some literal translations of a homepage
The main equipment
Handgun ...... new Nanbu M60 gun, P226, P228, G19 (for each around 10 orders) SMG ...... MP5A4, A5, SD4, SD6 (for each around 10 orders)
SM G ...... MP5A4, A5, SD4, SD6
※
Snipe gun ...... that a MP5SD4 short machine gun of H.K company is called "a high efficiency automatic gun" among departments
Remington M700, 64 sets of snipe guns (when I use it in special order product without 連射機能, the Self-Defense Force, gun for exclusive use of a scope of distinction)
A high-performance snipe rifle (PSG-1 of H.K company)
※
A SIG SAUER P230 automatic gun is non-deployment formally.
This deploys it led by riot police
The helmet turned into a Fritz-style helmet made by Kepler.
A bulletproof shield
A sound flash of light bullet
A night night vision device
A rotary handgun (new Nanbu)
An automatic gun (SIG P228 of 13 successive firings)
Snipe rifle (it seems to be a volt action-type snipe gun besides the Metropolitan Police Department, but 64 sets of SAT of the Metropolitan Police Department seems to be thing and German PSG-1 which mounted a rifle with a 暗視 scope) short machine gun MP5
暗視双眼鏡
Laser range-finding machine

[Hiroyuki Nagashima]

SST（エスエスティー）：海上保安庁特殊警備隊　
http://www5f.biglobe.ne.jp/~sbu/DATABASE-JAPAN-SST.htm
Some literal translations of a homepage
The snipe rifle that a main equipment H.KMP5 submachine gun (9 millimeters diameter) SIG SAUER P226 automatic gun (16 successive firings) is high-performance
89 sets of automatic rifles of the Self-Defense Force

[Doc]

Thank you very much Hiroyuki Nagashima!:-)

Doc

[NANGI]

Konnichiwa Doc-san!

Why do Japanese military use the P220 but not P226? There is a simple answer. It is a Japanese physique. Japanese physique is a small, and their hands are small too. And Japanese military chose P220 that is 9mm and single column magazine. The P226 that double column magazine is a big for some Japanese. Of course a 45 too. :relief:

NANGI

[Doc]

Interesting Nangi. I thought that Sig discontinued the P220 line for the 9X19mm because of the outdated system and small magazine size (7 rounds even for 9X19mm). The only thing they make now for export here in the States is the .45 ACP. Did the military ever think about the P228 or P229? It's pretty much a compact model of the P226, so I wouldn't see why they just don't upgrade to that (.40 S&W is starting to become the popular caliber now here in the States because the 9X19mm Luger Parabellum is so crappy). I hear that the P230-232 are nice in size dispite the difference in caliber. BTW do detectives still use those compact .38s anymore? I heard somewhere that only higher ups including chiefs only carry them now.

Doc

[WAIR]

Almost all weapons utilized by the National Police Agency (Police) or the Self-Defense Forces (Armed Forces) are used under license or based from other weapons while others are made by their defense industries. Here's a really good list of them:

Inspired/Licensed weapons

Shin Chuo Koggyo 9mm Kenju - Licensed from Sig Sauer P220
Minebea P9 - Licensed from Sig Sauer P226
Minebea PM-9 - Licensed from IWI Micro Uzi SMG
Sumitomo Heavy Industries (SHI) M249 - Licensed from FN Minimi
SHI FT-84 - Licensed from Carl-Gustav M3
SHI Type 62 - Licensed from FN MAG
SHI M2 - Licensed from FN M2
Howa Type 89 - Inspired by SIG 550 and Daewoo K2
Howa AR18 - Licensed from Armalite AR18 (Never adopted by JSDF, believed to be used by IRA and several Yakuza groups)
Howa M1500 Varmint - Licensed from Remington M700
Sig Sauer P230 JP - Made by SIG, produced in Japan by Minebea

Indigenous weapons

Howa M300 - Japanese Shotgun, used by police
New Nambu M60 - Revolver, current police revolver before switching to P230 JP
Miroku Special Police - Revolver, used after occupation forces allowed Japanese police forces to rearm
Howa Type 64 - First assault rifle made for the JSDF
Yutaka Type 96 - Automatic Grenade Launcher. (I'm sure it's by Sumitomo. One site said the FT-84 is made by Yutaka, which is clearly wrong).

[BruceC]

While I know that guns are illegal in Japan
I believe rifles and shotguns are legal. They have like 400,000 registered I think.

Why do Japanese military use the P220 but not P226? There is a simple answer. It is a Japanese physique. Japanese physique is a small, and their hands are small too. And Japanese military chose P220 that is 9mm and single column magazine. The P226 that double column magazine is a big for some Japanese. Of course a 45 too.
Also I would guess that the Japanese police have less 250+ pound men charging them, then we do in the US.

[WAIR]

I believe rifles and shotguns are legal. They have like 400,000 registered I think.

If I recall right, they are licensed for hunting and all.
PS - check www.military-powers.com as a recommendation. It's a good site for you JSDF firearms fanatics out there.

[Jayern]

what about self protection? I know in American, ur are allowed to carry a gun for self protection if ur over the age limit and registered for it.

how hard is it to acquire a handgun in japan legally?

[WAIR]

All Japanese frown over guns, even if it's for self-defense. That's as far as I know...

[BruceC]

what about self protection? I know in American, ur are allowed to carry a gun for self protection if ur over the age limit and registered for it.

how hard is it to acquire a handgun in japan legally?

I’m not sure if any self-defense with a weapon is legal in Japan.(might be wrong on that) All handguns are banned in Japan as well. And as for the US it depends on what state you are in. Most states now offer concealed weapon permits. (I’m thinking it’s like 42 of 50 states, and a few have legal open carry) It’s much like a driver’s license. It's really done wonders in fighting crime in my state of Florida.

All Japanese frown over guns, even if it's for self-defense.

The few I've met seem to think handguns are cool. It's like a hip thing with them. I've only met a few and they were younger guys though. I might learn more about the Japanese attitude towards firearms when I go there this may.

What I would like to know is how hard it would be to illegally obtain firearms in Japan, and how many are estimated to be in the country right now. My Japanese Grandmother, who lived in Japan most of her life told me that now gangsters are running around with guns that they get from other close by countries.

[BruceC]

If I recall right, they are licensed for hunting and all.
PS - check www.military-powers.com as a recommendation. It's a good site for you JSDF firearms fanatics out there.

Yes I think that is correct about hunting and sport. Interesting site, thanks for the link.

[WAIR]

I know that yakuzas has access to smuggled guns. That's all I know.