![Tom Cruise, ‘The Running Man,’ ‘Roofman’ Highlight Subdued Paramount Pictures Showcase [CinemaCon]](https://cdn.theplaylist.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/03154313/TomCruiseFinalReckongingTrailer.jpg)
![Naming Your Baby? That Choice Could Haunt Them On Every Airline Upgrade List [Roundup]](https://viewfromthewing.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/upgrade-list.webp?#)
U.S. Tourist Arrested in Japan For (Accidentally) Bringing Firearm Into The Country
A story came out last night where a U.S. tourist was arrested in Kobe, Japan, for accidentally bringing a firearm into the country, which he only noticed before he was about to board a cruise ship. The gun had since passed through TSA in the […]
A story came out last night where a U.S. tourist was arrested in Kobe, Japan, for accidentally bringing a firearm into the country, which he only noticed before he was about to board a cruise ship.
The gun had since passed through TSA in the U.S. at his departure points, Japanese customs in Osaka and would have probably gotten onboard the vessel as well (at least had he put it into his checked luggage).
Firearms are highly restricted in Japan, and bringing them into the country from abroad is even more so, especially as the gun was essentially smuggled into the country.
And it obviously wasn’t packaged in a secured gun travel case as pictured above but randomly in his suitcase.
Before notifying the cruise line, the gun owner disposed of three live bullets into the trash can of the port’s washrooms, where they were, of course, found later on. He didn’t even bother to flush them down the toilet or – considering they were at a port – throw them into the ocean somewhere.
As the Japan Times reported, the case is now under consideration by prosecutors in the Hyogo prefecture.
Hyogo Prefectural Police said Wednesday they have arrested a U.S. tourist 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.
The Hyogo Prefectural Police department believes 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.
Obviously, while the blame lies entirely with the passenger, the TSA in Hawaii really dropped the ball here by not detecting the firearm in the first place. While it’s definitely a violation to attempt to bring a gun through a TSA checkpoint, to lay criminal charges is at the discretion of law enforcement at the respective airport. If the offender can believably demonstrate that this was an honest mistake, then officers in charge can decide to let it go based on the circumstances.
Had this been found in Japan at customs he’d already been in significant trouble as well. We have previously reported on exactly the same situation happening with a Delta passenger arriving in Japan:
A responsible gun owner ALWAYS knows where his firearm is, and having it “mistakenly’ stowed into luggage before going overseas is unforgivable.
Would I have contacted a random cruise line employee? Probably not. Of course, he should have known that this being reported to local authorities would have severe consequences.
The alternatives? Well, leaving Japan legally with the firearm is probably just as difficult if not impossible. I can’t see any legal way of obtaining an export certificate that would allow it to be flown out and cleared by customs.
The most efficient way would have likely been to destroy it (although easier said than done, especially without tools or connections) or to let it disappear into the ocean. Checked passenger baggage is screened although you never know how thoroughly and for which items, so trying to take it on and then dumping it while cruising is a risk as well.
Leaving it somewhere on land without destroying it would be irresponsible as well, plus it’d be crazy as a firearm has a serial number that can be traced back to the owner. All options are bad options. Fess up to your mistake and then see how the authorities decide to go forward. I bet future trips to Japan are out of the question for a long time.
Conclusion
An American tourist traveling to Japan was arrested after he alerted a cruise line employee that he had carried his handgun all the way from the U.S. to Japan and nobody starting with the TSA checkpoint at home or Japanese customs detected the firearm all the way until it was time to board his cruise ship in the port of Kobe.
There are no good options here of how to avoid punishment by virtue of disposing the gun and I guess the outcome of facing the music for his actions was somewhat inevitable. I don’t think throwing the bullets in the trash can at the cruise terminal will be considered too kindly. Those he could have definitely disposed more discretely and efficiently without creating danger.
The very first thing you’re being taught when getting firearm training is to always know where your weapon is and to store in in a safe maner. Having it casually in a suitcase and then accidentally taking it on an overseas trip doesn’t meet this standard.
