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What are the Chances of a Mass Shooting in Japan?

Japan Times

13 June 2016

By Reiji Yoshida

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[I]n terms of homicides per 100,000 people, Japan was again ranked as the second-safest country with 0.4 homicides, while Iceland registered just 0.32, according to an OECD report titled How's Life? 2013…

[A]ccording to the National Police Agency, Japan recorded eight cases of alleged crimes where guns were fired in 2015. All parties involved were believed to be yakuza or members of other crime groups, the agency said. Those cases left a total of one dead and three injured.

In Japan, citizens are banned from possessing, carrying, selling or buying handguns or rifles. Importing gun parts is also prohibited under the Firearm and Sword Control Law.

Only licensed hunters are allowed to own shotguns, and the screening process is very strict.

Applicants are required to obtain a license from a local government and undergo background checks by police as well as mental and drug tests at hospitals.

The gun license must be renewed every three years, and applicants are required to again undergo the various tests.

Shotgun owners are also required to store their weapons in a specified locker at their home and report its location to police. Ammunition must be kept in a separate locked safe…

ID: N634

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