Harry Potter Sword Replicas Recalled in Japan for Violating Weapons Regulations

Warner Bros. Studio Japan LLC has recalled replicas of Godric Gryffindor's sword after it was determined they violated Japanese weapons laws. The replicas, which were marketed as collectibles, were categorized as actual swords due to their sharpness, prompting a swift response from authorities.

Warner Bros. Studio Japan LLC has announced the recall of full-sized replicas of Godric Gryffindor's sword, featured in the popular Harry Potter film franchise, due to violations of Japan's strict weapon laws. Measuring 86cm (34 inches) and mounted on a wooden display plaque, these replicas were sold between May 2023 and late April 2024, primarily at the newly opened Warner Bros. Studio Tour Tokyo: The Making of Harry Potter, the first studio tour of its kind in Asia and the largest indoor Harry Potter attraction globally.

The concern arose when authorities informed Warner Bros. in November that the swords were sharp enough to qualify as actual weapons, falling under Japan's stringent regulations governing swords. Reports indicate that over 350 of these replicas, priced at 30,000 yen (approximately $200; £158), had already been sold before the recall.

In response, Warner Bros. issued a recall notice on its website addressing "a distribution issue in Japan" and advising customers who purchased the sword to contact the company for necessary logistics and refund procedures. The company has yet to provide a comment regarding the matter.

Japan's firearms and sword control laws impose severe restrictions, including a ban on carrying knives over 6cm (2 inches), and violators may face a penalty of up to two years imprisonment. Replicas sharp enough to be considered swords must be registered, unless they are purely decorative or training weapons incapable of being sharpened.

While Japan is known for its low levels of violent crime, instances involving weapons still occur. For example, a notable incident took place last year when a 78-year-old man in Yokohama was arrested for attacking a neighbor with a ceremonial samurai sword during a dispute. In another tragic event in 2017, a samurai sword was discovered along with other weapons in a Tokyo shrine following an attack that resulted in three fatalities.