Job Discussion Forums

[uberscheisse]

i wouldn't know where to search about concealed weapons laws in japan.

i carry a pocketknife pretty much all the time, for stuff like peeling fruit, opening packages, etc.

i think the law in canada is that it has to be visible, i.e. on your belt.

it would suck to get searched and deported as a possible murderer because of the (awesome, expensive, birthday gift) knife i carry.

[southofreality]

You could ask at your local Koban.

I think if you just step in, whip out the knife and loudly say, "Knife, OK?! Knife, OK?! Dame?! Dame?!", they'll probably let you know the deal.

Good luck.

[Wintermute]

Just leave it at home, it will save you any hassles if you are pulled over by a suspicious police officer. Recently there has been a trend to paint foreigners as prone to sudden violence - if a cop found a knife on you (no matter how small or practical) it would send them into a spin.

[Apsara]

I had my Swiss Army knife in my bag when I went to Hiroshima a few years ago- actually pre 9/11 but since Japanese planes got hijacked occasionally, even before that they didn't allow scissors, craft knives etc on the plane. I only had hand luggage, so they put the knife in a sealed bag and I picked it up at Hiroshima airport along with all the high school kids who had scissors, craft knives etc in their pencil cases.

Since I wasn't told I shouldn't have it on me at all I assumed it's not illegal to carry with you. There is not a big problem with mugging etc here so most likely there has never been any push to restrict things like that.

I'm female so the chances of me being pulled over and searched by a Japanese cop are pretty remote I would say.

[Glenski]

According to Wikipedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Knife_legislation#Japan
With the exception of any type of switchblade, any knife with an overall length of 15 cm (about 5.9 in), with a blade length of no more than 6 cm, is legal to carry. Knives must be concealed and should not be easily available. The Japanese Guns and Knives Control Law forbids knives being used as defensive weapons, but is relatively tolerant toward knives which can be opened using a single hand. For example, any type of butterfly knife is legal.

With the exception of Japanese Katana, any other swords are regarded as offensive weapons. However, if they have artistic value, possession is legal as long as the sword is registered.

Violations of the law come with a sentence of up to one year in prison and a fine of �300,000 or about U.S. $2,600 or about U.K. �1,300.

You might also want to find info at Blade Forums.
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=735

Personally, I'd recommend against strapping your knife on your hip. As a foreigner, that would only raise more attention than usual.

[uberscheisse]

thanks for the info dudes and dudettes.

[Mothy]

Is there anything you don't know Glenski? You're my hero!

[GambateBingBangBOOM]

Glenski is right, but the law and social norms are not the same thing. I carried a swiss army knife on my keychain (the normal size- nothing huge, not tiny and insignificant, either) for years in Canada, I didn't bring it on the plane with me, but put it in my checked baggage, then transferred it back to my keychain when I was settled in my new home.

Whenever I left my keys on my desk people would seem worried and sometimes I'd be asked why I had it and do people use them for protection in Canada. (Like it makes sense to pull out a knife attached to a key ring, fumble a blade out, put it back in your hand so you can use it and THEN defend yourself if someone is attacking you!)

Now it is on a key loop in my MEC briefcase, because the only time I ever need it is at work anyway (If I go camping, then I may bring it with me, but I actually have the monster size swiss army knife for that- but then camping in Japan seems to be staying in a cabin that is nicer than most people's apartments, drinking cases of beer and maybe getting around to going to a hike, so I really don't need it then, either). It makes my keys lighter (though when I first started I was always thinking my keys had somehow fallen out of my pocket) and I don't get stared at (except at work, but that's sort of the deal with being a foreigner sometimes).

Other than the reassurance that some things with you are the same, then there isn't really a reason to carry it, and Japanese police may get all worried if a foreigner is carrying a knife, even a legal one attached to a key chain. If it's in a sheath on your belt (like if it's a Leatherman tool or something), then I would say that could be an instant worry to cops- but it would be in Canada, too. I would definitely leave that at home.

[markle]

I know what you mean. Like just the other day I was walking down the road with some friends of mine and suddenly from nowhere we were accosted by 10kg of fruit that needed peeling, apples, oranges, even a pineapple and some grapes! My friends, especially the women were rather upset but I whipped out my trusty blade and peeled them quick as a flash. We all breathed a sigh of relief, some of the ladies were quiet flushed from my display of manly peeling, then lo and behold we were surrounded by well secured boxes in need of opening! Well I tell you, if it weren't for my 4 inches of cold hard steel we would have been done for....

to be continued....

[uberscheisse]