The Hyogo Prefectural Police said Wednesday that a U.S. tourist was arrested after he reported that he had inadvertently brought a handgun into Japan.
The 73-year-old was arrested on March 24 on suspicion of possessing a revolver at a terminal building at Kobe Port in Kobe, Hyogo Prefecture, on March 23. Police have already sent papers on the case to prosecutors.
Hyogo police believe the handgun slipped through security procedures at Kansai International Airport in Osaka Prefecture.
The man has said the gun was for self-defense and that he had packed the firearm by mistake.
According to the police, he flew from an airport in Hawaii. On March 23, he notified a crew member of a cruise ship he was set to board at Kobe Port that he had accidentally brought a handgun with him, after he noticed the firearm in his luggage.
Based on his statements, investigative authorities found three bullets in a trash can in a toilet at the port's terminal.
"While it is true that the man entered Japan via Kansai International Airport, we'll refrain from further comments due to the ongoing police investigation," an official at Osaka Customs said.
NimrodSprings on April 3rd, 2025 at 12:12 UTC »
My aunt and uncle (ridiculously kind people) borrowed some luggage from a friend of theirs to take on a cruise to the Bahamas. When they were already on the boat they found their friend had forgotten a handgun in one of the bags. They reached out to my dad (an attorney) on what to do with it, he told them to throw it off the side of the boat and not bring it up to anyone. They did not and instead told staff about it. They were detained and the gun was confiscated and not returned to them or the owner and it was a big big hassle. No charges or anything though. To this day my uncle will say “we should’ve just thrown it over the side.” Lmao.
CivilReaction on April 3rd, 2025 at 11:59 UTC »
Japan has extreme strict gun control laws. They don’t play around. And if you wanted to possess a gun in Japan, one of the process is an interview with the local police and convincing them why you need a gun, and you better have a very good reason.
IvanStarokapustin on April 3rd, 2025 at 11:48 UTC »
The fact that he alerted someone to the gun will help him. That he tossed three rounds in the trash will not. He’ll probably avoid a jail sentence with hard labor, but the Japanese will put him through the wringer anyway.