GENERAL HEADQUARTERS
SUPREME COMMANDER FOR THE ALLIED POWERS

APO 500
27 March 1947

AG 388.3 (27 Mar 47) GB/CIS
(SCAPIN-1586)

MEMORANDUM FOR	IMPERIAL JAPANESE GOVERNMENT.
THROUGH	Central Liaison Office, Tokyo.
Subject	Instructions Concerning the Surrender of Arms by the Civilian Population of Japan.

1. Reference is made to memorandum from the Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers, file AG 388.3 (23 Oct 45) CIS, (SCAPIN-181), dated 23 October 1945, subject as above.
2. Paragraph 1. a. of the memorandum referred to in paragraph 1, above, is rescinded and the following will be substituted therefor:
“1. The following instructions supplement those issued by this headquarters in a Radiogram to the Imperial Japanese Government, above subject, dated 24 September 1945:
a. The Imperial Japanese Government shall surrender all firearms, swords, bayonets daggers and other weapons, ammunition, explosives and components thereof collected from the civilian population to U. S Army representatives in accordance with instructions issued by the Commanding General, Eighth Army, and the Commander, Naval Forces, Far East.
(1) The following exceptions will be allowed:
(a) Firearms and knives required for hunting purposes, and swords considered objects of art.
(b) Explosives required by legitimate business of industrial organizations.
(c) Firearms of the matchlock type considered antiques and objects of art.
(2) Individual licenses and permits covering the above exceptions will be issued by the Imperial Japanese Government and reported monthly, by list, to this Headquarters, the Commanding General, Eighth Army, the Commander, Naval Forces, Far East, or other appropriate Occupation Force Commanders.
(3) Individauls and organizations duly licensed to retain and use firearms and explosives, or component thereof, shall comply with such instructions as may be issued by the appropriate Occupation Force Commander in the area.”

FOR THE SUPREME COMMANDER:

JOHN B. COOLEY,
Colonel, AGD,
Adjutant General.