In truth, you can have weapons in Japan, you simply have to spend at least 2000 usd in papers, and your request is severely analyzed and needs the approval of medics, the sheriff of your area, of all your neighbors, your family, have a safe for the weapon and another far away for a main piece (bolt) a book of each movement and each fired ammunition.. Detail ... First permit is only for shotguns , if you want a rifle, you can only access it after having shotgun license for 10 years. The people of Japan first suffered the oppression of their feudal lords, then the emperor and lastly the American occupation, which of course would not tolerate an armed society.