What is the current Japanese battle rifle?

[gringogigante]

I had a student ask me if I knew what the Japanese military currently uses as their battle rifle. i confessed I did not, but would find out.

ANy ideas?

[dicion]

Japan doesn't technically have a "Military", rather, they have the Japanese Self-Defense Forces. As a Military is prohibited by... well, Wikipedia explains it better then I:


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japan_Self-Defense_Forces" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

In theory, Japan's rearmament is thoroughly prohibited by Article 9 of the Japanese constitution which not only states, "The Japanese people forever renounce war as a sovereign right of the nation and the threat or use of force as means of settling international disputes", but also declares, "land, sea, and air forces, as well as other war potential, will never be maintained." In practice, however, the Diet (or Parliament), which Article 41 of the Constitution defines as "the highest organ of the state power", established the Self-Defense Forces in 1954. Due to such a constitutional tension concerning the Forces' status, any attempt at enhancing the Forces' capabilities and budget tends to be politically controversial. Thus the JSDF has very limited capabilities to operate overseas, lacks long range offensive capabilities such as long-range surface-to-surface missiles, aerial refueling (as of 2004[update]), marines, amphibious units, or large caches of ammunitions. The Rules of Engagement are strictly defined by the Self-Defence Forces Act 1954.

The members of the JSDF are considered civilians, and there is technically no Military. There are no Military laws they are required to follow, etc.

I recommend reading the entire article, it's very interesting.

[joe817]

A good and valid question! After some digging, I came up with a Type 89 assult rifle. Pretty neat looking rifle:

http://world.guns.ru/assault/as38-e.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[moredes]

I wonder how the Defense Force practices... I've got a real good friend over there who's actually a member of their LDP political party. He wanted to get a rifle but kept procrastinating about submitting his forms. I doubt he'll ever have time for that now that he's actually in office. It takes 10 years (!!) from the date of app submission through approval and written testing, etc. before anyone can actually take delivery. The 'sword culture' is still a very strong influence in civilian law. He would have to prove he had a secure place (read, "metal safe"--they came to the house and checked, when he applied for a shotgun) AND pass the written exam--as I recall 80 questions. 3 missed answers and ya wait 6 months to take the test again; in the meantime, the clock's ticking out on the rifle's 10yr application limit. When he went trap shooting, I wasn't allowed to carry the cased gun; it's a crime if I'm not licensed. I couldn't shoot trap with him either, obviously. (I don't remember the wait time for shotgun approval--I think it was 2yr; rifles with the rifled bores are the 'great fear'. Handguns are absolutely illegal to the public.)

Japan prohibits gun possession by citizens unless sporting or hunting which is limited to shotguns and rifles that are single shot (semi-auto and full auto are restricted to military and police). The gun owners are required to take a class once a year and pass a written test. Police will check on the owner once every 3 months during an unannounced visit, they will inspect the gun locker and proper storage of ammunition and the firearm.

It ain't Texas that's [abbreviated profanity deleted] sho.

[The Annoyed Man]

Japan doesn't technically have a "Military", rather, they have the Japanese Self-Defense Forces. As a Military is prohibited by... well, Wikipedia explains it better then I:


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japan_Self-Defense_Forces" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

In theory, Japan's rearmament is thoroughly prohibited by Article 9 of the Japanese constitution which not only states, "The Japanese people forever renounce war as a sovereign right of the nation and the threat or use of force as means of settling international disputes", but also declares, "land, sea, and air forces, as well as other war potential, will never be maintained." In practice, however, the Diet (or Parliament), which Article 41 of the Constitution defines as "the highest organ of the state power", established the Self-Defense Forces in 1954. Due to such a constitutional tension concerning the Forces' status, any attempt at enhancing the Forces' capabilities and budget tends to be politically controversial. Thus the JSDF has very limited capabilities to operate overseas, lacks long range offensive capabilities such as long-range surface-to-surface missiles, aerial refueling (as of 2004[update]), marines, amphibious units, or large caches of ammunitions. The Rules of Engagement are strictly defined by the Self-Defence Forces Act 1954.

The members of the JSDF are considered civilians, and there is technically no Military. There are no Military laws they are required to follow, etc.

I recommend reading the entire article, it's very interesting.

Wow, what a contrast to Germany, which has since rearmed and maintains a military, albeit a vastly reduced one, and has its own weapons development program. I wonder how much the philosophical (which translates in to the political) difference has anything to do with Japan's having been nuked, while Germany was not. Germany probably suffered more total devastation with heavy loss of civilian life than did Japan, since heavy bombing raids against them started much earlier in the war than it did for the Japanese; plus Germany suffered an invasion from two sides by armies bent on her total surrender and destruction, while Japan was not formally invaded until after their surrender.

[suthdj]

I thought Germany and Japan had their restrictions lifted or change so they could participate in the middle east "Bush wars".

[joe817]

I thought Germany and Japan had their restrictions lifted or change so they could participate in the middle east "Bush wars".

Both have sent troops into the Middle East. Japan's troops sent there are not combat troops. Only support troops. I honestly do not know if Germany, who is part of NATO, sent combat troops there or not.

[der Teufel]

Wow, what a contrast to Germany, which has since rearmed and maintains a military, albeit a vastly reduced one, and has its own weapons development program. I wonder how much the philosophical (which translates in to the political) difference has anything to do with Japan's having been nuked, while Germany was not. Germany probably suffered more total devastation with heavy loss of civilian life than did Japan, since heavy bombing raids against them started much earlier in the war than it did for the Japanese; plus Germany suffered an invasion from two sides by armies bent on her total surrender and destruction, while Japan was not formally invaded until after their surrender.

Germany was not supposed to re-arm, but the soviet threat after WWII caused the allies to re-think that. They decided they would need Germany's assistance if the Russkies ever decided to charge through the Fulda Gap. That was one of the causes of the Berlin blockade in the late 40's, which resulted in the Berlin Airlift to keep Western Berlin from starving. The Russians were protesting the re-armament of Germany.

[Purplehood]

I thought Germany and Japan had their restrictions lifted or change so they could participate in the middle east "Bush wars".

Both have sent troops into the Middle East. Japan's troops sent there are not combat troops. Only support troops. I honestly do not know if Germany, who is part of NATO, sent combat troops there or not.

I saw German troops in Afghanistan but I seem to recall that they were mostly Combat Engineers doing mine-clearance. Not positive since I tried to avoid hanging around Bagram as much as I could.

[rm9792]

Handguns are absolutely illegal to the public.)

Japan prohibits gun possession by citizens unless sporting or hunting which is limited to shotguns and rifles that are single shot (semi-auto and full auto are restricted to military and police). The gun owners are required to take a class once a year and pass a written test. Police will check on the owner once every 3 months during an unannounced visit, they will inspect the gun locker and proper storage of ammunition and the firearm.

It ain't Texas that's [abbreviated profanity deleted] sho.

Yet their criminals and gangs are armed with semiautos and SMG's.....There is a lesson here but not sure what it is.......

[Purplehood]

Handguns are absolutely illegal to the public.)

Japan prohibits gun possession by citizens unless sporting or hunting which is limited to shotguns and rifles that are single shot (semi-auto and full auto are restricted to military and police). The gun owners are required to take a class once a year and pass a written test. Police will check on the owner once every 3 months during an unannounced visit, they will inspect the gun locker and proper storage of ammunition and the firearm.

It ain't Texas that's [abbreviated profanity deleted] sho.

Yet their criminals and gangs are armed with semiautos and SMG's.....There is a lesson here but not sure what it is.......

If you are going to be a criminal, don't half-step?

[asleepatthereel]

Handguns are absolutely illegal to the public.)

Japan prohibits gun possession by citizens unless sporting or hunting which is limited to shotguns and rifles that are single shot (semi-auto and full auto are restricted to military and police). The gun owners are required to take a class once a year and pass a written test. Police will check on the owner once every 3 months during an unannounced visit, they will inspect the gun locker and proper storage of ammunition and the firearm.

It ain't Texas that's [abbreviated profanity deleted] sho.

Yet their criminals and gangs are armed with semiautos and SMG's.....There is a lesson here but not sure what it is.......

Sounds like another country not to far from here, doesnt it?