Japanese Knife Laws

[Jeremy Chance]

For you practical types, it's probably worth realising that your innocent Swiss Knife could land you in goal!

cheerfully

Jeremy

ja...@mac.com

090-2284.0869 (Japan +81)

Begin forwarded message:

3.    JAPANESE LAWS ON CARRYING KNIVES IN PUBLIC

An update has been provided by the Metropolitan Police Department
concerning the possession of knives in public.

As you are probably aware, Japan has very strict laws regarding the
possession of firearms and other weapons.  The Metropolitan Police
Department have confirmed that police are authorised to undertake random
searches on the street at any time.  From 5 January 2009, if a person is
found carrying a knife with a blade longer than 5.5cm, and the person does
not have a permit, then they may be detained and even arrested or deported
if the police warrant that the matter was of a serious enough nature.
Detaining could include several hours of interviewing, fingerprinting and
photographing.

For all those who regularly carry a Swiss army knife in their backpack so
that they can use the handy scissors, toothpick and nail file, please take
note of the above information.