Police in Japan

I have always wondered if the Japanese police carry guns. Some people have told me that they don't carry guns. Others have told me that they do. Do Japanese police carry guns?

They sometimes do and sometimes don't, I don't know how it is determined. Note also that, strictly speaking, there is (almost) no "Japanese police", 99% of police tasks are carried out by prefectural police, so practice may vary also by prefecture.

Some do. some don't. I've been stopped by police twice in Japan: once at Sendai airport and Shou did have a gun. We spoke for about 30 minutes at the airport and he was a great guy. The other time I was stopped in Minamisanriku when I was taking photos in a construction zone and the police was called when the truck drivers thought I may be in danger of getting hit. They dispatched a small Toyota patrol car and one of the two officers had a gun, the other didn't.

Every policeman working outside always carries a hand gun in Japan.

Police officers who wear uniform and work at police box(ko-ban) carry a gun. They might need a gun 24hrs/7days.

Detective officers(or sergeant) who wear mufti clothing and work at police department don't carry a gun unless they have special permission.