How Have Firearms Affected Japan

Firearms were first introduced to Japan in 1543 in Tanegashima, which is now present day Kagoshima, by Portuguese sailors. At the time, the central government was slowly but surely beginning to collapse, and Japan was in the middle of a major civil war period, the Sengoku. The warring Daimyos or warlords immediately recognized the advantage of the new weapon, causing guns to spread throughout Japan, giving way to the rise of major industrial production sites in Omi and Kii. Japan's independent production of firearms was both rapid and efficient, and some historians estimate the number of firearms that existed in Sengoku Japan to have been about 100,000, more than the number of firearms in all of present-day Europe combined. The National Police Agency Pamphlet on Japanese Gun Control refers to Japan at this time as "A top-class firearm superpower even on the global level." However, with the unification of Japan, the large amounts of guns were seen as catalysts for revolt. Toyotomi Hideyoshi initiated the Katanagari or Ð''sword hunt' policy and prohibited the possession of swords and guns by all but the Samurai class. The Tokugawa Shogunate or warrior government continued in Hideyoshi's footsteps and was known for its "Irideppo ni Deonna" or "watch out for weapons and women leaving Edo" policy, which banned the entrance of guns into the Edo, which is now present day Tokyo. Gun Control took root in Japan first and foremost as a method to prevent armed rebellion and ensure the domination of central rule. The successful gun industry of the Sengoku Period basically died but some of the technicians converted to the production of fireworks, and fireworks have become an important part of Japanese tradition ever since. After the Meiji Restoration (1868-1912), guns were not principally banned, but the possession of firearms was only allowed through registration. During the Allied Occupation, Gun Control was taken one step further, and the prohibition of gun possession became governmental policy. In present day Japan, the possession and importation of firearms is regulated under the 'Jyutoho' (1958), "the Firearms and Swords Control Law". The production and sale of guns is simultaneously prohibited under the Bukito Seizoho, a law referring to making firearms. Under these laws, guns are separated into two basic categories, Kenju Nado, basically revolvers, handguns, machine guns, cannons and a few other guns, including Ryoju which include rifles and shotguns, air guns, and industrial guns. Although the possession of Kenju are basically prohibited for commoners, the guns which are not included in the Kenju category can be legally owned through obtaining a permit. The possession of Kenju are only permitted to police officers and Self Defense Force. The long history of gun's in Japan is longer than the history of privacy, and if one is to say 250 years of isolation shaped the Japanese attitude towards foreigners in one way or another, one cannot simply say 400 years of gun control has had no effect on the Japanese people. Gun Control has enabled Japan to become a largely gun-free society and concept of "Gun-Free" has become part of the modern Japanese culture. When asked "What would happen to Japan if Gun Control was suddenly abolished?" Mr. Keiichi Nakamura of the Keisatsucho (National Police Agency) replied, "That is not a question for me (as a police officer) to answer," but he added, "Unlike the Americans, the Japanese people do not have a history of reliance on guns. Acting as a group is extremely important in this culture, and that is how people defend themselves." Given 400 years of alienation from guns, it is difficult to imagine all of the Japanese people suddenly arming themselves if the possession of firearms was legalized. In response to the question, "Would you like to get a license to possess some type of gun or do you have