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Japan laws?
- Thread starter Hoostas
- Start date
Pretty darn late but thought I would explain knife laws in Japan for reference if others if ever needed.
- Japan is a "Lawful Purpose" country. Meaning, you are allowed to carry a knife only for certain outdoor activities, such as Hunting, Fishing, Camping, Hiking, Canoeing, Kayaking, etc. Within these activities there is no blade length limit. However, such knives must be transported in cases or other not readily accessible manner. One cannot wear a knife while on their way to the place of activity. In cars, they must be in in the trunk with the other gear.
Outside of these activities, carrying any knife is illegal.
In the case of cooking knives, as they also fall under the same laws, Professional Chefs and Kitchen Staff can transport them, not easily accessible to and from work. Others can similarly carry them to and from a sharpener. These are considered lawful purpose.
- Certain types of knives are banned outright, meaning illegal to even possess. These include double edged daggers and boot knives (with a blade length over 5,5cm/2.1 inches). Also banned are Bayonets, Automatic knives, Assisted open knives, Butterfly knives and Tanto style bladed knives.
These laws became stringent after the 2009 Akihabara incident.
- Unregistered Nihonto (Katana, Wakizashi, Tanto, Aikuchi, etc), Yari (spears) Naginata (halbeards). These must be registered and must be transported alway together with the registration certificate to be legal.
-In Japan Blade Length applies only to the illegal carrying of knives. A blade length of over 6cm (2.36) becomes a violation of the Jutouho (Gun & Sword Law), whereas under 6cm is a violation of the Keihanzaihouihan(Minor law violation). The former carries a heavier penalty than the latter. So unlike some other countries, blade length does not establish a right to legal carry. It only establishes the charge and degree of penalty.
That all said, knives, folding and fixed knives of all brands (barring the banned types) are sold and easily purchased in Japan by anyone over 18 years of age. And SAKS are fairly commonly carried. But obviously no one carries any knife openly, clipped to the pocket.
As standard practice elsewhere, for flying, no knives of any kind can be brought on carry-on luggage. But you can transport any legal knife in check-in.
- Japan is a "Lawful Purpose" country. Meaning, you are allowed to carry a knife only for certain outdoor activities, such as Hunting, Fishing, Camping, Hiking, Canoeing, Kayaking, etc. Within these activities there is no blade length limit. However, such knives must be transported in cases or other not readily accessible manner. One cannot wear a knife while on their way to the place of activity. In cars, they must be in in the trunk with the other gear.
Outside of these activities, carrying any knife is illegal.
In the case of cooking knives, as they also fall under the same laws, Professional Chefs and Kitchen Staff can transport them, not easily accessible to and from work. Others can similarly carry them to and from a sharpener. These are considered lawful purpose.
- Certain types of knives are banned outright, meaning illegal to even possess. These include double edged daggers and boot knives (with a blade length over 5,5cm/2.1 inches). Also banned are Bayonets, Automatic knives, Assisted open knives, Butterfly knives and Tanto style bladed knives.
These laws became stringent after the 2009 Akihabara incident.
- Unregistered Nihonto (Katana, Wakizashi, Tanto, Aikuchi, etc), Yari (spears) Naginata (halbeards). These must be registered and must be transported alway together with the registration certificate to be legal.
-In Japan Blade Length applies only to the illegal carrying of knives. A blade length of over 6cm (2.36) becomes a violation of the Jutouho (Gun & Sword Law), whereas under 6cm is a violation of the Keihanzaihouihan(Minor law violation). The former carries a heavier penalty than the latter. So unlike some other countries, blade length does not establish a right to legal carry. It only establishes the charge and degree of penalty.
That all said, knives, folding and fixed knives of all brands (barring the banned types) are sold and easily purchased in Japan by anyone over 18 years of age. And SAKS are fairly commonly carried. But obviously no one carries any knife openly, clipped to the pocket.
As standard practice elsewhere, for flying, no knives of any kind can be brought on carry-on luggage. But you can transport any legal knife in check-in.
Excellent explanation of the law. My son is a Marine in Okinawa. He keeps his K Bar at his apartment. But his everyday carry is a case peanut. They're very tough over there on knives you are absolutely 100% correct. Thank you for posting this
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In Kill Bill, one of the classic samurai sword flicks, Uma Thurman a.k.a. "the Bride" a.k.a. Beatrix Kiddo, packs her new katana forged by Hattori Hanzo openly on the jet from Okinawa. I wondered about that (you'd think it would have been more convenient to stow it in the overhead compartment) but figured it was probably OK if flying first class 
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SomebodySomewhere
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I have seen people carrying SAKS a few times. The SAK Classic has a 5.7cm blade, so being under 6cm it would be a violation of the Keihanzai (Minor Law violation) a light offense that could be dismissed with a warning or minor penalty. So people don't seem to worry about it.
On paper the laws are severe and strict, but because the aim to maintain public safety, the focus is on the purpose of carry.
If a person carrying any blade causes an incident (commits a crime, or say starts an argument with a cop) they can and will use every part of the law against them. But for the average person going about their own business it's really not a big deal.
Ha, yea we can call that pulp fiction. Any real Katana needs to be transported cased/wrapped together with it's ownership certificate.In Kill Bill, one of the classic samurai sword flicks, Uma Thurman a.k.a. "the Bride" a.k.a. Beatrix Kiddo, packs her new katana forged by Hattori Hanzo openly on the jet from Okinawa. I wondered about that (you'd think it would have been more convenient to stow it in the overhead compartment) but figured it was probably OK if flying first class
Years ago I carried an authentic Tanto from NJ to Tokyo. It was in my checked luggage, and was questioned at Tokyo airport customs. I was sent to a separate police back office where they took it apart, verified the ownership certificate, then let me go with the tanto.
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Yep it would appear it's that way all over the globe with the exception of the USA and a few other locations. Not many governments trust their subjects. Makes me appreciate the Bill of Rights all the more.
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Here’s the scoop on Japan from Wikipedia.
en.m.wikipedia.org
"Swords" means a sword with a blade of 15 cm (5.9 in) or more requires permission from the prefectural public safety commission in order to possess. Permission requirements also apply to any type of sword over 6 cm (including automatic knives), spears[clarification needed] over 15 cm (5.9 in) in blade length, and Japanese glaves.[37] All knives with a blade length over 8 cm (3.1 in) are prohibited from being carried, under a crime law,[38] with an exception for carrying for duty or other justifiable reasons. Possession is considered a petty crime and is not usually punishable by prison time. However, in cases where assault occurs with the knife, there is a penalty of up to 2 years prison or up to a ¥300,000 fine. Folding knives with a blade length less than 8 cm (3.1 in) (such as Swiss Army knives) are permitted, while SAK with a lock blade are prohibited from being carried.
On the topic of autos…
en.m.wikipedia.org
In Japan any switchblade over 5.6 centimetres (2.2 in) in blade length requires permission from the prefectural public safety commission in order to possess.[27][failed verification]
Knife legislation - Wikipedia
"Swords" means a sword with a blade of 15 cm (5.9 in) or more requires permission from the prefectural public safety commission in order to possess. Permission requirements also apply to any type of sword over 6 cm (including automatic knives), spears[clarification needed] over 15 cm (5.9 in) in blade length, and Japanese glaves.[37] All knives with a blade length over 8 cm (3.1 in) are prohibited from being carried, under a crime law,[38] with an exception for carrying for duty or other justifiable reasons. Possession is considered a petty crime and is not usually punishable by prison time. However, in cases where assault occurs with the knife, there is a penalty of up to 2 years prison or up to a ¥300,000 fine. Folding knives with a blade length less than 8 cm (3.1 in) (such as Swiss Army knives) are permitted, while SAK with a lock blade are prohibited from being carried.
On the topic of autos…
Switchblade - Wikipedia
In Japan any switchblade over 5.6 centimetres (2.2 in) in blade length requires permission from the prefectural public safety commission in order to possess.[27][failed verification]
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In Japan, knife laws are strict and heavily regulated. Here are some key points:
- Blade Length Restrictions: The possession and carry of knives with a blade length exceeding 15 centimeters (5.9 inches) is prohibited. This includes all types of knives, including kitchen knives, pocket knives, and hunting knives.
- Intent of Use: The legal possession and carry of a knife depends on the intent of use. A knife that is carried for legitimate reasons, such as for work or culinary purposes, is generally allowed. However, carrying a knife for self-defense or with the intent to harm others is strictly prohibited.
- Prohibited Knives: Certain types of knives are prohibited, including switchblades, butterfly knives, and gravity knives.
- Licensing: If you want to possess a knife with a blade longer than 6 centimeters (2.4 inches), you need to obtain a license from the local police. This license is only granted for specific purposes, such as cooking, fishing, or sports.
- Penalties: Violating knife laws in Japan can result in severe penalties, including fines and imprisonment.
No that is incorrect.
The 15cm blade length rule （Article 22 of the Gun＆Sword Act）covers specifically Toukenrui 刀剣類 -Traditional Japanese Swords, (Katana, Wakizashi, Tanto etc), Spears, Naginata (halbeard), large knives with a curved spine (Tanto style).
Cooking knives, which come in 150/180/210/340/300mm blade lengths, as well as Western styled hunting knives and pocket knives do not fall into this category.
However, double edged daggers, switchblades and assisted open knives, butterfly knives, bayonets are prohibited from possession.
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Is the info from Wikipedia inaccurate?
The Wiki info fails to make clear the difference between a "Sword" and a "Knife" in Japan. They are defined and treated differently from a legal perspective.
So while it may be accurate per se, it leads to a severe misunderstanding.
I sometimes carry my Cold Steel SM Trail Master (9.5 inch blade/24.13 cm) on my belt when fishing. This is in the summer/fall months when there is a lot of brush.
It is perfectly legal as I am engaging in a "justifiable" purpose. It is a Western styled knife and does not fall under the Gun & Sword Act restrictions. It is not a Tanto blade, the spine is not curved, and is not one of the prohibited knife types. There is no requirement for me to "register" it anywhere. In fact, this model knife, and others like it are sold in knife shops, and online sources like Amazon Japan and Rakuten.
However, I may not wear it (openly carry) until I reach the fishing location. It needs to be packed in my gear to and from location of use. It is treated the same as a
hunting firearm which must be cased to and from location of use.
There have been some cases of Campers leaving their gear still packed in their car during the workweek on the grounds that they will be going again next weekend. And they got caught with a knife in the car "without justifiable reason" and fined. A couple of knife related websites urge caution in that regard.
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