Warner Bros. Studio Japan has recalled over 350 replicas of Godric Gryffindor's sword sold at their Tokyo attraction after authorities deemed them sharp enough to violate weapons laws, prompting a request for customer refunds and returns.
Harry Potter Sword Replicas Recalled in Japan for Violating Weapons Law
Harry Potter Sword Replicas Recalled in Japan for Violating Weapons Law
Full-sized replicas of Godric Gryffindor's sword sold by Warner Bros. have been deemed illegal under Japan's stringent weapons regulations.
The iconic sword of Godric Gryffindor from the Harry Potter series has landed Warner Bros. Studio Japan LLC in hot water following the sale of its full-sized replicas, which have been recalled due to breaches of Japan’s strict weapons regulations. These replicas, measuring 86cm (34 inches) and attached to a wooden display plaque, were available for purchase from May 2023 until late April 2024 at Warner Bros. Studio Tour Tokyo: The Making of Harry Potter, the first significant Harry Potter studio experience in Asia.
It wasn’t until November that local authorities alerted Warner Bros. that the replicas were sharp enough to be classified as actual swords under Japan's firearms and swords control law. According to reports, over 350 of these swords were sold, priced at approximately 30,000 yen ($200; £158) each.
In response to this regulatory oversight, the company posted a recall notice on its website, addressing “a distribution issue in Japan” and urging customers to reach out for “necessary action including logistics and refund.” As of yet, Warner Bros. has not publicly responded to inquiries from sources such as the BBC.
Japan maintains very strict control over weapons, with a ban on carrying knives exceeding 6cm (2 inches) and severe penalties, including potential imprisonment of up to two years for violations. Swords that are deemed sharp and are classified as weapons must undergo a registration process, unless they are specifically designed for training or decorative purposes and possess no sharp edges.
Despite Japan's reputation for having low crime rates, weapon-related incidents do occur, including a recent 2022 assault involving a samurai sword in Yokohama. Such incidents underscore the importance of enforcement of the domestic weapons regulations which this particular case highlights.
It wasn’t until November that local authorities alerted Warner Bros. that the replicas were sharp enough to be classified as actual swords under Japan's firearms and swords control law. According to reports, over 350 of these swords were sold, priced at approximately 30,000 yen ($200; £158) each.
In response to this regulatory oversight, the company posted a recall notice on its website, addressing “a distribution issue in Japan” and urging customers to reach out for “necessary action including logistics and refund.” As of yet, Warner Bros. has not publicly responded to inquiries from sources such as the BBC.
Japan maintains very strict control over weapons, with a ban on carrying knives exceeding 6cm (2 inches) and severe penalties, including potential imprisonment of up to two years for violations. Swords that are deemed sharp and are classified as weapons must undergo a registration process, unless they are specifically designed for training or decorative purposes and possess no sharp edges.
Despite Japan's reputation for having low crime rates, weapon-related incidents do occur, including a recent 2022 assault involving a samurai sword in Yokohama. Such incidents underscore the importance of enforcement of the domestic weapons regulations which this particular case highlights.
