Japan Firearms Market

Japan Firearms Market Insights Forecasts to 2035

• The Japan Firearms Market Size Was Estimated at USD 2.63 Million in 2024
• The Market Size is Expected to Grow at a CAGR of Around 7.28% from 2025 to 2035
• The Japan Firearms Market Size is Expected to Reach USD 5.70 Million by 2035

According to a research report published by Decision Advisors & Consulting, the Japan firearms market size is anticipated to reach USD 5.70 million by 2035, growing at a CAGR of 7.28% from 2025 to 2035. The firearms market in Japan is driven by strict regulations, cultural aversion to firearms, and continuous technological innovation. Japan’s firearms market grows within a tightly controlled niche focused on safety features, smart technology, and regulated hunting and sporting applications.

Market Overview

The firearms market refers to the industry that manufactures, distributes, sells, and regulates firearms and related equipment for civilian, military, law enforcement, hunting, sports shooting, and personal security applications. It comprises ammunition, attachments, safety technology, and small arms such as handguns, rifles, shotguns, and carbines. Gun ownership in Japan continues to be frowned upon due to cultural taboos, strict licensing, and regulations surrounding firearms and their use. The Japanese government enforces stringent firearm regulations through comprehensive background checks, mandatory psychological and medical evaluations, and strict licensing requirements. For instance, in 2024, legislation was updated to criminalize the creation or sharing of instructions for homemade or 3D-printed firearms, further strengthening public safety and regulatory compliance. The result is firearms market is highly restricted to only a few types of firearms and controlled innovation utilizing the most advanced technology available. As demand begins to slowly increase within this restricted sector, there are many areas where innovation can take place due to advances in technology, allowing weapon manufacturers to create smarter devices. The trend for younger generations of Japanese citizens to become more interested in hunting and sports shooting is creating a steady but very limited demand for this type of product.

Report Coverage

This research report categorizes the market for the Japan firearms market based on various segments and regions, and forecasts revenue growth and analyses trends in each submarket. The report analyses the key growth drivers, opportunities, and challenges influencing the Japan firearms market. Recent market developments and competitive strategies, such as expansion, product launch, development, partnership, merger, and acquisition, have been included to draw the competitive landscape in the market. The report strategically identifies and profiles the key market players and analyses their core competencies in each sub-segment of the Japan firearms market.

Driving Factors

The firearms market in Japan is driven by strict regulatory frameworks that ensure only highly qualified individuals can own guns for hunting or sport shooting. Cultural perspectives against firearm ownership discourage the majority of people in Japan from purchasing or using firearms. This results in the market being primarily filled with customers who are seeking safe and compliant firearms and are comprised of people who have committed to their safety and compliance with local laws. Technological advancements in firearms equipment, including the addition of safety features, support the gradual growth of the market within the legal framework of legal responsibility, in addition to the gradual increase of younger participants.

Restraining Factors

The firearms market in Japan is mostly constrained by limited firearm ownership opportunities, complex and burdensome licensing requirements, a cultural stigma against firearms, and the relatively little civilian purchase demand associated with this market. In addition, extremely high costs associated with compliance with import regulations, import permits, and costs associated with the additional regulatory burden have limited the ability of the market owners to obtain new products and create additional market opportunities.

Market Segmentation

The Japan firearms market share is classified into type and end use.

• The rifle segment accounted for the largest revenue market share in 2024 and is expected to grow at a significant CAGR during the forecast period. 

The Japan firearms market is segmented by type into pistol, revolver, rifle, machine gun, and others. Among these, the rifle segment accounted for the largest revenue market share in 2024 and is expected to grow at a significant CAGR during the forecast period. Due to regulatory constraints restricting civilian use to hunting and sport shooting, rifles are the most often used and licensed firearm type in Japan. As a result, the rifle segment dominates the country's firearms market.

• The hunting segment accounted for the largest revenue share in 2024 and is expected to grow at a significant CAGR during the forecast period. 

The Japan firearms market is segmented by end use into military, law enforcement, sports, hunting, self-defence, and others. Among these, the hunting segment accounted for the largest revenue share in 2024 and is expected to grow at a significant CAGR during the forecast period. Since civilian gun ownership is mostly limited to hunting and sport shooting, the hunting segment dominates Japan's weapons market. hunting firearms that are allowed by law, backed by stringent rules and licensed training.

Competitive Analysis:

The report offers the appropriate analysis of the key organizations/companies involved within the Japan firearms market, along with a comparative evaluation primarily based on their product offering, business overviews, geographic presence, enterprise strategies, segment market share, and SWOT analysis. The report also provides an elaborate analysis focusing on the current news and developments of the companies, which includes product development, innovations, joint ventures, partnerships, mergers & acquisitions, strategic alliances, and others. This allows for the evaluation of the overall competition within the market.

List of Key Companies

• Howa Machinery, Ltd.
• Miroku Firearms Mfg. Co.
• Minebea Co., Ltd.
• Japan Optics, Ltd.
• Novel Arms Corporation
• ALCM
• Komatsu Ltd.
• Maruzen (K.K. Maruzen)
• Others

Key Target Audience

• Market Players
• Investors
• End-users
• Government Authorities 
• Consulting and Research Firm
• Venture capitalists
• Value-Added Resellers (VARs)

Recent Developments:

• In October 2025, Authorities reaffirm tight export restrictions on small arms, even as Japan increases broader defense hardware exports under a revised policy.
• In May 2024, Experts propose relaxing gun restrictions in residential zones for emergency animal control (bears), possibly easing the use of licensed firearms under special conditions.
• In March 2024, the Japanese government passed a bill criminalizing instructions or encouragement to make guns (including 3D printed), tightening licensing rules for certain hunting firearms.

Market Segment

This study forecasts revenue at the Japan, regional, and country levels from 2020 to 2035. Decision Advisors has segmented the Japan firearms market based on the below-mentioned segments:

Japan Firearms Market, By Type

• Pistol
• Revolver
• Rifle
• Machine Gun
• Others

Japan Firearms Market, By End Use

• Military
• Law Enforcement
• Sports
• Hunting
• Self-Defense
• Others

FAQ’s

Q: What is the Japan firearms market size?

A: Japan firearms market size is expected to grow from USD 2.63 million in 2024 to USD 5.70 million by 2035, growing at a CAGR of 7.28% during the forecast period 2025-2035. 

Q: What are the key growth drivers of the market?

A: Market growth is driven by strict regulatory frameworks that ensure only highly qualified individuals can own guns for hunting or sport shooting. Cultural perspectives against firearm ownership discourage the majority of people in Japan from purchasing or using firearms. This results in the market being primarily filled with customers who are seeking safe and compliant firearms and are comprised of people who have committed to their safety and compliance with local laws.

Q: What factors restrain the Japan firearms market?

A: Constraints include limited firearm ownership opportunities, complex and burdensome licensing requirements, a cultural stigma against firearms, and the relatively little civilian purchase demand associated with this market.

Q: How is the market segmented by end use?

A: The market is segmented into military, law enforcement, sports, hunting, self-defence, and others.

Q: Who are the key players in the Japan firearms market?

A: Key companies include Howa Machinery, Ltd., Miroku Firearms Mfg. Co., Minebea Co., Ltd., Japan Optics, Ltd., Novel Arms Corporation, ALCM, Komatsu Ltd., and Maruzen (K.K. Maruzen).

Q: Who are the target audiences for this market report?

A: The report targets market players, investors, end-users, government authorities, consulting and research firms, venture capitalists, and value-added resellers (VARs).