讀後心得

Recently, a 73-year-old American traveler accidentally passed through security in Japan with a firearm in his luggage. It was only when he was preparing to board a cruise that he informed the staff, and he was subsequently arrested by the police. The police found a revolver and three bullets in his luggage. The traveler stated that he was worried about the language barrier, which is why he delayed reporting the firearm. The case is still under investigation.

Recently, an airport security oversight incident occurred in Japan. A 73-year-old American traveler accidentally brought luggage containing a firearm through airport security in both the United States and Japan while traveling for tourism and successfully entered the country. It was not until the following day, when this traveler was preparing to board a cruise, that he confessed to the cruise staff that he was carrying a firearm.

Currently, this traveler has been arrested by Japanese police, who found the discarded firearm and ammunition based on his confession. The Osaka Customs, responsible for the immigration inspection of the traveler, stated that the case is still under investigation and therefore declined to comment.

According to reports, this incident occurred on March 22, when the 73-year-old American traveler departed from Honolulu International Airport in Hawaii and passed through inspections at Kansai Airport to enter Japan. However, he only discovered that he had inadvertently carried a self-defense handgun to Japan when he arrived at his hotel and checked his luggage.

Hyogo Prefectural Police pointed out that on the 23rd, when the traveler was preparing to board a cruise at Kobe Port, he proactively informed the cruise staff that he was carrying a firearm. Upon receiving the report, the police immediately arrived at the scene and found a revolver in the traveler’s luggage. He was subsequently arrested under the Firearm and Sword Control Law. Additionally, based on the traveler's confession, police found three rounds of ammunition in a trash can at the restroom near the dock. Regarding his handling of the situation, the traveler stated that he was afraid of facing more serious charges if both the firearm and the ammunition were discovered at the same time, which is why he disposed of the bullets.

When questioned why he did not immediately notify hotel staff upon discovering the firearm, the traveler explained that due to language barriers and fear of misunderstandings, he believed the cruise staff at Kobe Port would speak English, which is why he waited until boarding to inform them. Following a preliminary investigation, police believe that the handgun was packed in the suitcase and passed through customs inspections at both the Hawaiian and Kansai airports.

Honolulu International Airport stated that although the traveler's destination is a country that prohibits firearm possession, as long as the firearm is properly packaged when passing through customs, they would not take action against the traveler upon departure. As for the security unit responsible for Kansai Airport, Osaka Customs reiterated that the case is still under investigation and therefore cannot comment further.