GENERAL HEADQUARTERS
SUPREME COMMANDER FOR THE ALLIED POWERS

23 October 1945

AG 388.3 (23 Oct 45) CIS
(SCAPIN-181)

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

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 Generals of the Sixth and Eighth Armies and the Commander of the Fifth Fleet, USN.
(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.
(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 Generals of the Sixth and Eighth Armies, the Commander of the Fifth Fleet, USN, or other appropriate Occupation Force Commanders.
(3) Individuals and organizations duly licensed to retain and use firearms and explosives, or components thereof, shall comply with such instructions as may be issued by the appropriate Occupation Force Commander in the area.
b. The Imperial Japanese Government shall take whatever action is necessary to comply with these instructions and prevent violations or deception in the issuance of licenses or permits. Initial collection of arms, ammunition and explosives and issuance of licenses for authorized retentions shall be completed by 1 December 1945. Such subsequent checks and inspections shall be conducted as are necessary to detect violations and evasions of these instructions.
2. The Imperial Japanese Government shall submit a complete report to this headquarters not later than 1 December 1945 and monthly thereafter, indicating the number of firearms and weapons and the amount of explosives or components thereof confiscated or licensed, by type and location, together with copies of instructions to prefectural Governors and Police Chiefs and proclamations issued to effectuate the instructions issued by this headquarters.

FOR THE SUPREME COMMANDER:

H.W.ALLEN,
Colonel, A.G.D.,
Asst Adjutant General.