The current going rate has tumbled to between 200 and 400 thousand yen. Ordinary citizens can easily obtain handguns from gangsters. The deterioration of the gangster economy is contributing to the violent nature of many crimes. Some gangsters have openly begun breaking their unwritten code of conduct, which bans targeting ordinary citizens. Their collusion with corporate executives continues.
Japan is an island nation, surrounded by the sea.
It is impossible stop all attempts to smuggle firearms into the country, especially with some coming in via fishing boats and freighters. Japanese police need to work closely and establish a mutual support network with other countries in order to collect information and conduct investigations. But there is some skepticism among those who wonder whether there is any effective way to stop gun smuggling since it is a trade involving so many countries, including China, Russia, as well as the Philippines, the United States, Italy, and some countries in Latin America.