Howa Type 64

The Howa Type 64 is a Japanese battle rifle manufactured by Howa and designed by Iwashita Kenzo and Dogane Giichi, a gas-operated, selective-fire weapon chambered in a modified 7.62x51mm NATO load and fed from a 20-round detachable magazine. Produced from 1964 to 1988 and in service since 1964, it is used exclusively by the Japan Self-Defense Forces and the Japan Coast Guard, since Japan's strict arms-export restrictions have kept it from being sold abroad. It has largely been superseded in front-line use by the later Howa Type 89 but remains in service across all branches.