It shouldn’t have to be said that you should respect all local laws and customs during your travel to Japan. Sadly, one American traveler couldn’t be bothered to perform due diligence on his packed luggage. He’s now under arrest for violating the country’s strict firearms laws.
Oops…
Asahi Shimbun has a detailed report on the incident. In late March, a 73-year-old American man from Hawaii landed at Kansai Airport near Osaka, unknowingly carrying something that would turn his cruise vacation into a legal nightmare – a revolver tucked away in his suitcase.
Here’s the kicker: this gun somehow made it through not one but TWO airport security systems.
The tourist claims he had no idea the gun was in his luggage until he was organizing his belongings at his Osaka hotel. Instead of immediately contacting authorities (which, let’s be real, would have been the smart move), he decided to continue with his travel plans to board a cruise ship in Kobe.
Here’s where it gets even more bizarre. After realizing his predicament, the man, who thought it’d be worse if he was carrying ammo, threw out most of the bullets at the Kobe Port Terminal. Then, after boarding his cruise ship, he casually mentioned to the staff, “Oh, by the way, I have a gun in my bag.”
As you might imagine, this led to his prompt arrest for violating Japan’s strict firearms control law. Despite his efforts to dispose of his ammunition, they also found three bullets in his possession. According to ABC News, however, authorities ultimately opted not to charge the man. No reason was given for this decision.
Security expert Professor Hajime Tozaki, quoted by Asahi, suggests this case reveals significant gaps in international security infrastructure. The assumption that rigorous departure checks eliminate the need for equally strict arrival inspections clearly failed here.
With the Osaka-Kansai Expo approaching, Japanese officials are now rushing to review security protocols to prevent similar breaches. This will likely mean more thorough screenings, potentially causing longer wait times for all travelers.
American gun nuttery vs Japan’s strict control
The incident highlights a striking culture clash. In the United States, gun ownership is rampant, with about a third of Americans saying they own a weapon. The country has adamantly refused to tighten gun restrictions despite a rash of 47,000 deaths in 2023.
Many of these gun owners apparently “forget” they’re carrying weapons. The country’s Transportation Security Administration (TSA) finds roughly 18 guns in luggage every day.
By contrast, Japan has strict firearms laws, which generally restrict gun ownership to weapons used for hunting. This policy approach has helped Japan maintain one of the lowest rates of gun violence globally, with typically fewer than 10 gun deaths annually in a country of 125 million people. (One of the country’s most-famous gun detahs in recent memory – the assassination of Abe Shinzo – was conducted with a homemade weapon.)
Japan is also super-strict about non-gun weapons. Strict laws around carrying blades have led police to arrest people who carry around overly-long scissors.
Word of advice for Americans traveling to Japan: check your luggage for lawbreaking firearms before you board your flight. And yes, I shouldn’t need to say that – but apparently, this is the world we now live in.
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