How strict are gun laws in Japan?
Highly restrictive / banned
Civilian firearm ownership is almost entirely prohibited; only shotguns and air rifles are possible after a strict licensing process.
Japan is one of 28 countries classified “Highly restrictive / banned” for civilian gun ownership — 25% of the 113 with data. (Also searched as firearm laws.)
Source
- Last checked
- 7 July 2026
- How it was classified
- Checked by hand against the source.
Nearby countries
- North Korea
- Highly restrictive / banned Total ban on civilian gun ownership with severe penalties.
- Taiwan
- Restrictive Taiwan has restrictive gun laws with permits required for ownership.
- Philippines
- Restrictive Cannabis is legal for hunting and sport shooting with licensing required.
- China
- Highly restrictive / banned Gun ownership is heavily restricted with hunting restricted and no civilian ownership allowed.
- Mongolia
- Licensed / moderate Mongolia permits hunting, sports, and collection with may-issue licenses.
- Palau
- Highly restrictive / banned Cannabis is fully banned with no legal exceptions.
Other laws in Japan
- Death Penalty
- Retained / in use
- School Corporal Punishment
- Banned
- Military Conscription
- No conscription
- Jury Trials
- Limited use / mixed courts
Every law in Japan → · How strict are gun laws around the world? →
A visual reference compiled from Wikipedia’s law-by-country articles, not legal advice. Laws change and summaries simplify — check a primary source before relying on anything here.