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Post by Deleted on Dec 3, 2008 1:50:28 GMT
Hello, my fiance and I are planning on moving to Japan in about a year, and I am curious about the laws on swords in Japan. The restrictions, and how I can bring the ones I own with me into the country.
Thanks
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Post by Tom K. (ianflaer) on Dec 3, 2008 2:07:36 GMT
as I understand it they are rather strict. please take this advice and this advice alone: CONTACT THE JAPANESE GOVERNMENT AND DO NOT BASE ANY ACTION OR INACTION ON YOUR PART ON ANYTHING YOU GET HERE ON AN INTERNET FORUM.
we are all of us good intending and very knowledgeable but unless you get your information from the government of Japan or a lawyer (or their equivelent) who deals in Japanese weapon law I would not trust it. once you Do get that info get a copy of the pertaining law/s in writing and have them on you when you go there.
by the way I love the quote under your avatar, one of my favorite of Douglas' lines and not very well known. +1 for that alone
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Post by Deleted on Dec 3, 2008 2:13:40 GMT
Thanks for the advise, and +1 back.
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admin
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Post by admin on Dec 3, 2008 5:23:37 GMT
I'd second Toms advise here - Japan is very strict when it comes to owning swords. Wallhangers for tourists and some very nice bokken - no problems. But the real thing, well - contact the govt...
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Post by salvatore on Dec 3, 2008 10:27:41 GMT
They are tight on pretty much any weapon, so I hope you aren't a gun nut as well. You'll definitely have to contact the Government on this one, or you can try and get a permit...either way, it'll involve some time...
Sal
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Post by Deleted on Dec 3, 2008 19:46:35 GMT
Just a little curious. Are they strict about selling swords to gaijin that will take them overseas or just everyone in general?
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Marc Ridgeway
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"The best cost less when you buy it the first time." - Papabear
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Post by Marc Ridgeway on Dec 3, 2008 20:01:10 GMT
Just a little curious. Are they strict about selling swords to gaijin that will take them overseas or just everyone in general? Oh, they could care less about selling swords to foriegners for profit... they love to do that... You'd even be able to own a registered art sword over there... traditionally constructed and all that... but sub $300 cutters are right out... Really the best advice is to contact the Japanese agency that governs such things...as others have said.. But I wouldn't count on taking any swords with me... better to sell them and save for a shinsakato
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Post by jasmineleaf on Dec 4, 2008 7:38:20 GMT
Yeah, as much as I have looked into it - it seems as though Japan is very, very strict regarding weapons. They try to keep people disarmed as much as possible to avoid armed crime (and that's understandable.) I believe if you're going for swords (guns are pretty much a big no-no there for civilians,) then I believe you're going to have to receive a permit. In addition to that, you have to register each and every one of your weapons... and if you ever lose that sheet of paper showing your registration, or somehow forget the information associated with it and you are checked out by the authorities, you could seriously run into some problems. I also heard that if you're trying to import a weapon or bring over your stash, they often don't let you "carry" it into the country... You generally have to let your weapons stay put with whatever authorities until the next time you leave Japan. However, since you intend to move there completely, I think you're going to run into something a little different. I vaguely recall something about them looking at the swords and grading them in terms of quality, value, etc. Rather bluntly, if the sword isn't deemed enough of a "piece of art," is made abroad or simply not from a Japanese swordsmith, it's going to be thrown out. Harsh, really, but hopefully I am wrong! I also heard something about the process taking really long since Japan maintains the strictest bureaucracy ever. If you break a law there and you're also carrying a weapon (not saying you will), then you are not only going to be charged for whatever crime was committed, but also for "breaching the weapons/arms control act" as well... so you could be seeing a lot of extra time being served for that particular reason. And, knowing how the police/lawyers put together cases, they could probably sew something completely skewed together and somehow link whatever minor offense you committed with your weapons... Furthermore, being a gaijin does make it a lot harder. The Japanese can often be quite suspicious and discriminating against visible minorities (Caucasians, Africans, etc.), so you might run into some annoying issues here and there... To be honest, Japan has run into a lot of racial discrimination problems, and if you look it up online, you're going to find a hefty amount of stories talking about their government's inaction about the whole race situation. I believe that's because the people who work in the government somewhat agree with those ideas and so wouldn't act against it, or else they'd be restricting themselves as well. However, don't mistake me for being some sort of "Japan" hater. To the contrary, I absolutely love the place, and it's perhaps the best country I have ever stepped foot in. Like you, I hope to move there some day when I have enough money... not only for possible business reasons, but for personal reasons as well. Sort of the reason why I am learning, ever so gradually, Japanese... Anyway, back on topic: As you probably know, there are some realities you are going to have to face as a gaijin, and I really hope it works out smoothly for you. Don't be too let down though, the Japanese are generally very, very overly polite people and would never outright offend you; but there is almost undoubtedly going to be some slither of bias at some point with anything involving people who don't look "oriental" or simply Japanese. (There are even some restaurants / bars / services / that don't cater to visible foreigners...) Best of luck to you! I really wish I could move to Japan. Take me with you .
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Post by Deleted on Dec 5, 2008 4:00:25 GMT
It no big deal if I have to leave them here, the move is more important to me than continuing ownership of the swords. I have friends here that will take good care of them. I will miss cutting, but I have plenty of hobbies, and will probably discover more there.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 5, 2008 8:23:35 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Dec 5, 2008 12:29:16 GMT
Ugh, well they are staying here if that is accurate. All of my swords are Hanwei.
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Post by Tom K. (ianflaer) on Dec 5, 2008 14:01:42 GMT
look into exceptions for martial arts practitioners, I have a sensei that just recently moved back here from Japan and he own lots of swords from hanwei and I think he got them while over there.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 5, 2008 14:31:10 GMT
If you read the law carefully it says any swords purchased while in Japan are legal while anything that was purchased outside Japan are illegal. The only swords purchased outside japan that are legal are those of historical or artistic quality. Nothing that is mass produced, regardless of quality are permitted. So if you move there and buy a Hanwei and have it delivered there then it can be owned as long as it is registered within 20 days of recieving it. Which the registering period is every month. If I remember correctly it says european swords are not eligible to be registered making them illegal unless it is of historical value.
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