“Need to Strengthen Inspections Before Expo Starts”
A firearm found in the luggage of an American tourist entering Kansai Airport on the 22nd last month. Captured from NHK broadcast., Foreign tourists carrying travel bags with firearms successfully passed security checks at Japan’s Kansai Airport, causing a local controversy. With the opening of the 2025 Osaka Kansai Expo (April 13) approaching, there are rising concerns about airport security.
According to a report by NHK on the 2nd, an American tourist identified as A (73) voluntarily reported to an employee at Kobe Port Terminal that there was a gun inside his luggage while boarding a cruise ship. He had departed from Honolulu, Hawaii on the 21st of the previous month and entered Kansai Airport on the 22nd.
Upon being notified, the police confirmed that a revolver was found in a pouch inside A’s travel bag. The police arrested A on the 24th of the same month on suspicion of violating firearm laws.
A stated during a police investigation that “the gun was a personal protection firearm, which I accidentally placed in the travel bag. I realized this while staying at a hotel in Osaka.”
He also said, “I thought having the bullets with the gun would worsen the situation, so I discarded the bullets at Kobe Port Terminal.” Three bullets were indeed found in a garbage can in the terminal’s restroom.
Investigative authorities believe the tourist passed through airport security checks with the gun in his luggage, and are investigating the circumstances in detail.
Osaka Customs is responsible for inspecting passenger luggage arriving at Kansai Airport for dangerous materials. Travelers are required to submit a declaration form for items brought in at the time of entry, and staff make comprehensive judgments based on the purpose of entry, declaration contents, and the appearance of luggage, conducting individual inspections if necessary. However, it is still unclear if A’s luggage underwent an individual inspection.
This incident has sparked concerns and criticisms about airport entry inspections. NHK pointed out, “Osaka Customs intends to strengthen measures to prevent smuggling of firearms and terrorist materials ahead of the Expo, but the discovery of a firearm smuggling occurred less than a month before the opening.”
Professor Tozaki Hajime from Obirin University, who is familiar with airport security checks, stated, “With an increase in foreign tourists expected with the Expo’s opening, it’s necessary to rethink the inspection system, taking this incident as a lesson.” He advised on efforts such as expanding personnel and introducing inspection equipment.
In Korea, where this news was received, voices of concern have arisen on the 3rd, with comments like “Entry into Japan will slow down due to luggage inspections,” and “There is a nationwide alert in airports, leading to reports of a 2-hour entry time at Narita Airport recently.”