Citation(s) from the GunPolicy.org literature library
Alleman, Mark. 2000 ‘Japan - Prohibition of Possession.’ Firearm and Sword Possession Control Law (Translation); Vol. 9(1) (Art. 3), pp. 177-183. Seattle WA: Pacific Rim Law & Policy Journal Association. 1 February
Relevant contents
Except under one of the following conditions, no person shall possess any firearm or sword:
(1) where possessed pursuant to a duty based on law or ordinance;
(2) where possessed by an employee of a national or regional public organization for testing or research, for use in teaching materials for courses as set forth in Article 5-3(1) or under Article 7-4(3) of the Protection From Animals and Hunting Law (Law No. 32 of 1918), or for use in the examination of skill under Article 5-4(1) (termed "examination of skill" in clause 3-2 and Article 3-3(l)(2) and (5)), or for use in public displays;
(2-2) where an employee of a national or regional public organization who performs duties related to the management of a firearm or sword necessary for possession under the preceding two paragraphs possesses a firearm or sword pursuant to said duties;
(3) where an item for which permission was received under Article 4 or Article 6 (except firearms or swords disguised after permission was issued (meaning any firearm or sword disguised in a manner such that it may be mistaken as a cane or some object other than a firearm or sword; same hereinafter)) is possessed by the person who received said permission;
(3-2) where a person taking the examination of skill possesses a hunting rifle related to said examination of skill, in order to take said examination of skill;
(4) where a shooting instructor under Article 9-3(1) (termed a "shooting instructor" in Article 3-3(1)(6)), in order to give instruction on the shooting of hunting guns or air guns at designated firing ranges, instructional firing ranges, or practice firing ranges, possesses a hunting gun or air gun in accordance with permission received under Article 4 or Article 6 by the person receiving instruction;
(4-2) where an instructional shooting instructor as set forth under Article 9-4(1)(2) (termed an "instructional shooting instructor" in Article 3-3(1)(7)), in order to provide shooting instruction as set forth in Article 9-5(1) (termed "shooting instruction" in this clause and in Article 3-3(l)(7) below), or where a person receiving shooting instruction, in order to receive said shooting instruction, possesses a provided instructional gun as set forth under Article 9-6(2) (termed a "provided instructional gun" in clause 4-4 and Article 3-3(1)(7));
(4-3) where a practice shooting instructor as set forth in Article 9-9(1)(2) (termed a "practice shooting instructor" in Article 3-3(1)(8)) gives instruction or advice related to shooting practice as set forth in Article 9-10(1) (termed "shooting practice" in this clause and Article 3-3(1)(8)), or where a person able to engage in shooting practice, for the purpose of engaging in such shooting practice, possesses a provided practice gun as set forth in Article 9-11(2) (termed a "provided practice gun" in clause 4-5 and Article 3-3(1)(8));
(4-4) where a person who establishes or manages an instructional firing range possesses a provided instructional gun for the purpose of conducting business;
(4-5) where a person who establishes or manages a practice firing range possesses a provided practice gun for business purposes;
(5) where a person entrusted to store a handgun under Article 10-5(1) possesses said entrusted handgun for safekeeping in accordance with paragraph 2 of said Article;
(6) where one possesses an item registered under Article 14 (except any firearm or sword that is disguised);
(7) where a manufacturer of munitions or a manufacturer of hunting guns under the Munitions Manufacture Law (Law No. 145, 1954), or a person who has obtained permission under the provisions of Articles 4 or 18 of the same law, possesses, for business purposes, things related to such manufacture (including remodeling and repair; same hereinafter) (repair by a hunting gun manufacturer is limited to those repairs entrusted by a hunting gun vendor, a person who establishes or manages an instructional firing range or practice firing range, or a person who is in possession as permitted by Article 4);
(8) where a hunting gun vendor under the Munitions Manufacture Law possesses for a business purpose an item that was received from a hunting gun manufacturer, a hunting gun vendor, a person who has established an instructional firing range or a practice firing range, a person who is in possession as permitted by Article 4, a person who must take measures set forth in Article 8(6), or a national or regional public organization, or [an item] that was imported by said hunting gun vendor;
(9) where a person entrusted to store a hunting gun or air gun under Article 10- 8(1) is in possession of the entrusted hunting gun or air gun for storage in accordance with Article 9-7(2) as incorporated under Article 10-8, paragraph 2;[…]