More than 350 replicas sold before authorities flagged them as actual weapons, leading to a recall and refund process.
Warner Bros. Recalls Harry Potter Sword Replicas in Japan Due to Weapons Law Violation
Warner Bros. Recalls Harry Potter Sword Replicas in Japan Due to Weapons Law Violation
Full-sized replicas of Godric Gryffindor's sword found to breach strict regulations
Warner Brothers/courtesy Everett Collection - Sword of Godric Gryffindor. A collection of full-sized replicas of Godric Gryffindor's sword, prominently featured in the Harry Potter film franchise, has been recalled in Japan after violating the country's stringent weapons legislation. The replicas, measuring 86cm (34 inches) and mounted on wooden display plaques, were sold by Warner Bros. Studio Japan LLC between May 2023 and late April 2024. It wasn't until November that authorities informed the company that these items were sharp enough to be categorized as actual swords.
Over 350 replicas were purchased during this period, each priced at 30,000 yen (approximately $200 or £158). The swords were available at the Warner Bros. Studio Tour Tokyo: The Making of Harry Potter, which debuted earlier in 2023, marking the first such studio tour in Asia and becoming the largest indoor Harry Potter attraction worldwide.
Warner Bros. Studios Japan LLC has published a recall notice on its website, describing "a distribution issue in Japan" and urging customers to reach out for "necessary action including logistics and refund." The company has not provided an immediate response to inquiries from the BBC regarding the situation.
Japan's weapons laws are notably strict, disallowing the carrying of knives longer than 6cm (2 inches), with violators at risk of up to two years in prison. Replicas deemed sharp enough to be classified as swords under the Firearms and Swords Control Law must be registered with authorities unless they are intended for non-sharpened training or decorative use.
Although Japan maintains low levels of violent crime, incidents involving weapons do occur. For instance, a 78-year-old man was arrested in Yokohama last year for attacking a neighbor with a ceremonial samurai sword during a dispute, and in 2017, a samurai sword was discovered at a Tokyo shrine following an attack that resulted in three fatalities.
Over 350 replicas were purchased during this period, each priced at 30,000 yen (approximately $200 or £158). The swords were available at the Warner Bros. Studio Tour Tokyo: The Making of Harry Potter, which debuted earlier in 2023, marking the first such studio tour in Asia and becoming the largest indoor Harry Potter attraction worldwide.
Warner Bros. Studios Japan LLC has published a recall notice on its website, describing "a distribution issue in Japan" and urging customers to reach out for "necessary action including logistics and refund." The company has not provided an immediate response to inquiries from the BBC regarding the situation.
Japan's weapons laws are notably strict, disallowing the carrying of knives longer than 6cm (2 inches), with violators at risk of up to two years in prison. Replicas deemed sharp enough to be classified as swords under the Firearms and Swords Control Law must be registered with authorities unless they are intended for non-sharpened training or decorative use.
Although Japan maintains low levels of violent crime, incidents involving weapons do occur. For instance, a 78-year-old man was arrested in Yokohama last year for attacking a neighbor with a ceremonial samurai sword during a dispute, and in 2017, a samurai sword was discovered at a Tokyo shrine following an attack that resulted in three fatalities.
