PRIVATELY OWNED FIREARMS (POF):

a.  U.S. Forces Japan (USFJ) personnel must meet the requirements of Japanese law when importing or possessing POFs in Japan. Japanese laws are strict. Japanese police that discover U.S. Forces personnel carrying a pocket knife or other bladed instruments without a justifiable reason (Self-Defense or General use are not sufficient reasons in Japan) may be apprehended for violation of the Firearms and Swords Control Law or other laws. USFJI 31-207, Firearms and Other Weapons in Japan contains detailed information on what weapons can and cannot be shipped to Japan. It also incorporates changes to Japanese law with regard to possession and ownership of knives and other bladed instruments. The Japanese Government has PROHIBITED local agents in Japan from line-hauling HHGs shipments containing firearms on Japanese highways. USFJ members are NOT AUTHORIZED to import or possess the following in Japan (includes Okinawa).

(1) Handguns
(2) A muffler or a silencer for any firearm
(3) Machine gun
(4) Shotguns larger than 12 gauge (i.e. 8 and 10 gauge are prohibited)
(5) .410 caliber shotguns that the Japanese government considers technically capable of firing a rifle round.
(6) Any power-charged rifle for hunting game birds.
(7) Imitation handgun. Any product made from metal in a form remarkably resembling a handgun.

b.  Privately owned firearms will not be shipped in personal property baggage when shipping household goods. Shotguns and rifles will be mailed to Japan through the U.S. Postal System, consigned to the Commander, unit of assignment, of the gaining member, and stored IAW Commander?s guidance developed IAW paragraph 12.1 and 12.2 of USFJI 31-207 until properly registered IAW with paragraph 5.6.

c.  Firearms Storage: Service Component and installation Commanders will determine firearms storage requirements for persons residing in accompanied housing on U.S. installations. Privately owned firearms will not be stored in unaccompanied housing quarters or billeting.

d.  Privately owned firearms may only be stored in off base housing once they have been properly registered with the government of Japan and comply with Japanese laws for firearms storage. Until personnel acquire their firearms permit, weapons must be stored in approved weapon storage areas within USFJ installations.

e.  Service commanders are authorized to impose more stringent requirements than those outlined herein regarding privately owned firearms (POFs). It is imperative that all inbound personnel interested in shipping firearms and other weapons as part of a move to Japan contact their unit of assignment prior to arranging shipments.

f.  All privately owned firearms must be registered at the installation where owners are assigned within 7 days after importation or acquisition. Japanese firearm permits are required for possessing, using, storing, and transporting privately owned firearms outside U.S. installations and facilities.

g.  All U.S. Naval Installations in Japan (CFAY Yokosuka, CFAS Sasebo, and NAF Atsugi): Importation of all types of firearms into Japan is prohibited. U.S. military members, or U.S. Civilian components, assigned to duty either on a permanent basis, or extended temporary duty, shall not import by mail, or household good shipments, any type of handgun, rifle, shotgun, pellet, air or bb guns.

h.  For Okinawa: Importation of handguns, rifles, pellet, air and BB guns to Okinawa is strictly prohibited. Possession of these types of firearms on Okinawa is not authorized. Shotguns, may be imported, however, it is strongly discouraged. Use of parcel post only (subject to postal regulations). Members must mail shotgun(s) to their gaining unit Commander, marked for member. Shotguns MUST be stored in the armory and can only be checked out as needed for approved use. DOD members must have a current Japanese gun permit prior to transporting, using, storing, or otherwise possessing firearms outside military installations on Okinawa. DoD members planning to ship shotguns must coordinate with their sponsors or gaining unit before proceeding with the shipment.

i.  Persons under 20 years old are prohibited from owning, purchasing, possessing, carrying, or registering privately owned firearms and ammunition in Japan. This includes military members under 20 years old.

j.  Ammunition: Members are prohibited from importing or exporting privately owned ammunition into Japan. The sale or transfer of ammunition to non-SOFA status individuals is strictly prohibited.

k.  Japanese law prohibits/restricts bladed instruments outside of U.S. installations and facilities. Items prohibited from importing into Japan, including Okinawa are:

(1) Privately owned daggers and double-edged knives with a blade length of 5.5 centimeters (2.1 inches) or longer.
(2) Spring/switchblade knives with a mechanism to automatically open a blade 45 degrees or more.

l.  Cutlery (such as kitchen knives, box cutters, or other single, non-folding bladed cutting instruments) exceeding 6 centimeters (2.3 inches) are prohibited outside of U.S. installations and facilities unless carried for business or other justifiable reasons. Recommend shorter bladed instruments also not be carried unless for business or other justifiable reason. Cutlery that is less than 6 centimeters (2.3 inches) without a justifiable reason may also result in being detained or apprehended for a violation of a Minor Offense law.

m.  Scissors or folding knives exceeding 8 centimeters (3.1 inches) are prohibited outside of U.S. installations and facilities unless carried for business or other justifiable reasons. Folding knives stated above does not include switchblades which are categorized as 'swords'.

n.  Swords may be detained or confiscated by Japanese Customs officials upon entry into Japan. Swords that are part of an official U.S. military (including U.S. Coast Guard) uniform do not require a permit or registration with the Japanese authorities. However, they must be listed on the owner's travel orders.

o.  For transporting swords outside of U.S. installations for other than official U.S. military ceremonies, authorization must be obtained from the local Public Safety Commission (Police Department) prior to the event. Transporting official military swords outside of U.S. facilities and areas as part of official ceremonial functions, or as part of an official uniform, and also when entering or departing Japan, should be authorized in writing by appropriate commanders. A person that carries or transports a privately owned sword (non-part of an official U.S. military uniform) outside of U.S. installations shall carry a Japanese license or registration certificate for the sword.

p.  Transporting privately owned bladed instruments outside U.S. facilities and areas for off-base cultural or sporting activities must be IAW Japanese law. For transporting knives or other cutlery to camping or other recreational events, it is recommended to pack the items with the camping or other gear to confirm their intended use.

q.  Bows and Arrows. Recreational bows/arrows are considered weapons and must be controlled to prevent misuse. Recreational bows/arrows are authorized under the following conditions:

1.  Individual Use. Personal bows/arrows for individual recreational use may only be imported into Japan via authorized household shipments or purchased through authorized retailers in Japan, including through Article XV organizations.

2.  Personnel are authorized to store bows/arrows in their on base government quarters, unless otherwise directed by local installation instructions. Storage of bows/arrows in off installation residences will be in accordance with Japanese law. Bows/arrows will be stored in a locked container or closet to prevent access to minors or unauthorized personnel when not in use. Storage of bows/arrows is not authorized in unaccompanied barracks/dormitories. Service Component and installation Commanders will determine registration requirements, if any.

r.  The following types of POFs may be lawfully imported and registered in Japan by U.S. Forces personnel:

1.  Hunting and sporting rifles including .22 caliber rifles. However, .22 caliber rifles are prohibited for hunting. The minimum bore size for hunting in Japan is .23 caliber.

2.  Defined as a gun customarily used for hunting or sporting, including military type rifles that have been converted permanently.

3.  Hunting and sporting rifles (including shotguns) must meet the following restrictions:

a.  Not capable of automatic, successive firing such as machine guns. The magazine shall be such that it can load no more than 5 rounds of ammunition or metal bullets. Shotguns may not have a load capacity greater than 3 rounds.

b.  The caliber of a rifle bore cannot exceed 0.41 inches (10.5 millimeters).

c.  Shotgun bores cannot be larger than 12 gauge ? i.e. 8 and 10 gauge shotguns are prohibited.

d.  The length of the rifle or shot gun must exceed 37 inches (93.9 centimeters).

e.  The length of the barrel must exceed 19.25 inches (48.8 centimeters).

f.  Not equipped with a silencing device or silencing equipment to produce silencing effect.

g.  Not having such serious defects in the firing mechanism or barrel as would create apprehension that a hazard exists.

h.  .410 caliber shotguns that the Japanese government does not consider technically capable of firing a rifle round.

4.  Firearms designed primarily for target, skeet or trap shooting must be of the types listed above and restrictions stated above apply.

s.   Note: Violators may be severely fined or imprisoned by Japanese authorities, depending on the offense.

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U.S. Forces, Japan (USFJ) personnel living in Japan whether residing on/off base may not retain weapons or ammunition.

All privately-owned firearms and ammunition will be stored in the FLEACT Armory or onboard the ship where the individual is assigned and will remain there until member transfers privately owned pistols and revivers of every description are prohibited from transfer, temporarily or permanently to the possession or ownership of Japanese nationals and personnel living in Japan who are not SOFA-sponsored. Sale, trade or gift of weapons between members and their family members is prohibited.

Weapons can not be shipped or mailed to the U.S. by individuals other than the owner. (Reference COMFLEACTINST 5510.2 (Series))

Sporting guns and ammunition are allowed in Japan.

However, hunting and target facilities are very limited, and the laws of Japan are quite restrictive.

Rifles and shotguns may be kept in either your private rental or Government quarters.

To keep guns and ammunition in private rental housing, you must have a Japanese hunting license and have the weapons registered with the Japanese police.

Under no circumstances are pistols to be stored or retained in your possession while in Japan.

They must be stored in your respective Command's armory.

To return guns and ammunition to the states, a Form 1252 must be signed by your Commanding Officer stating that the guns were brought to Japan or purchased from the Navy Exchange.

Air rifles and CO2 guns are treated the same as sporting guns in Japan and are subject to the same licensing and prohibitions.

All privately-owned firearms, including air rifles and authorized war trophies, must be registered with the U.S. Fleet Activities, Yokosuka Registration Office, or the Security Department, CFAY Yokohama Detachment.

Further details concerning weapons and ammunition in Japan are defined in COMFLEACT Yokosuka Instruction 5510 series.