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A governmental panel studying measures to prevent the spread of guns has submitted a report to the state minister in charge of such measures, Sanae Takaichi. She says the government will push the necessary measures with determination to revive the nation as the safest country in the world. To eradicate gun-related crimes, the government must focus on seizing guns from gangsters.
Recent shooting-death crimes include the April 17 murder of Nagasaki Mayor Itcho Ito by a former gangster. Police estimate that at the end of 2006, about 41,500 gangsters were in the nation. If each gangster has a gun, it means that at least 40,000 guns exist in Japan. For the decade ended in 2006, only about 4,500 guns were confiscated.
Since gangs employ ingenious techniques to smuggle, hide and sell guns, it is imperative that police nurture investigators capable of carrying out time-consuming, secretive investigations. To strengthen the crime-fighting abilities of police, it may be necessary to transfer personnel from other sections.
The Firearm and Sword Control Law, revised in 1993, stipulates a reduction of punishment for those who give themselves and their guns up to police. But this provision has not been effective. The project team's report calls for monetarily rewarding people who tip off police as to the whereabouts of guns.
The government also must work out legal measures, and solicit cooperation from businesses and local governments to counter the tactics of sophisticated gangs who play the stock market or extort money from companies.
The Japan Times Weekly: July 28, 2007
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政府の「銃器対策のさらなる施策検討のためのプロジェクトチーム」は、銃規制のため緊急施策をまとめ、高市早苗特命相（銃器対策）に報告した。
昨年末現在で、全国に4万1,500人の暴力団員がいることがわかっている。各々1丁の銃を所持するとして、全国に少なくとも4万丁の銃があることになる。しかし、06年までの10年間で没収された銃は4,500丁にすぎない。
1993年に改正された銃刀法は、銃の不法所持者が、銃を持参して自首した場合にはその罪を軽減すると定めているが、この措置は効果が上がっていない。そこで、プロジェクトチームは、銃の不法所持に関する情報提供者に対する懸賞金支払いを提案している。
政府は企業、地方自治体と協力して、暴力団に対する取り締まりを強化すべきだ。
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