Howa Type 64

Howa Type 64
The Type 64 battle rifle
Type	Battle rifle
Place of origin	Japan
Service history
In service	1964 — present
Used by	Japan Self-Defense Forces Japan Coast Guard Special Assault Team
Production history
Designer	General K. Iwashita
Manufacturer	Howa
Unit cost	¥188,000 (In 1985)
Produced	1964—1988
No. built	230,000
Variants	See Variants
Specifications
Weight	4.4 kg (9.70 lb)
Length	990 mm (39.0 in)
Barrel length	450 mm (17.7 in)
Cartridge	7.62×51mm NATO (modified load)
Caliber	7.62mm
Action	Gas-operated tilting bolt
Rate of fire	500 RPM
Muzzle velocity	700 m/s
Effective firing range	400 m
Feed system	20-round detachable box magazine
Sights	Iron sights; Telescopic sights used with Designated Marksman variant

The Howa Type 64 Battle Rifle (64式自動小銃, Roku-yon-shiki-jidou-shoujuu^?), is a Japanese battle rifle used exclusively by the Japan Self-Defense Forces and the Japanese Coast Guard. It is a gas-operated, selective fire weapon which is chambered for the 7.62×51mm NATO round and uses a detachable 20-round box magazine. The Type 64 was never exported due to Japan's strict anti-hardware export laws. It has been superseded by the more advanced Howa Type 89 from 1989 to 1990, but is still in service with all branches of the Self-Defense Forces and the Japanese Coast Guard.

A small number of Howa Type 64 marksman versions had been used by the Special Assault Team.

Roughly a decade after the creation of the Japanese Self Defense Forces, the Defense Agency decided to make a domestically designed and manufactured main battle rifle to replace the aging M1 Garand rifles that had been given to them by the United States. It was developed by Howa Heavy Industries and eventually was produced in large numbers beginning in 1964 under the direction of General K. Iwashita, who had a hand in designing the rifle. When compared to the M14 rifle for testing purposes, it was found to be superior in practical accuracy, likely because its rate of fire and recoil (from less powerful 7.62 NATO ammunition) were lower. However, it has had consistent problems during its service life due to its reportedly overcomplicated construction and is plagued by a false (yet pervasive) reputation for shedding parts during field use and overall unreliability.