Howa Type 89

Howa Type 89 in 5.56x45mm with integral bipod. Currently in use by the Modern Japanese military.

Howa Type 89-F assault rifle with folding stock for Paratroopers - 5.45x45mm. Currently in use by the Modern Japanese military.

When the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) was looking for a new assault rifle to replace the aging Howa Type 64 (7.62x51mm), Howa Machinery Co., of Japan designed and developed the Type 89 Assault rifle, chambered for the 5.56x45mm NATO round. It was much lighter than the Type 64 and was a modern assault rifle in the genre of the M4A1, the Sig 551, and the Heckler & Koch G36. The Type 89's design resembles the US-designed AR-18 assault rifle, which was manufactured by Howa under license from Armalite (USA). It replaced the Howa Type 64 as the main battle rifle for the JGSDF in 1989, even though the Type 64 is still used in secondary units and Coast Guard units.

Specifications

Caliber: 5.56x45mm NATO

Action: Gas operated, rotating bolt

Overall length: 864 mm

Barrel length: 420 mm

Weight: 3.5 kg unloaded

Magazine capacity: 30 rds

The Howa Type 89 assault rifle has appeared in the following films, television series, video games, and anime used by the following actors:

Film

Title	Actor	Character	Notation	Date
Sensenfukoku		JGSDF 1st Airborne Brigade soldiers
Midnight Eagle		JGSDF Task Force soldiers

Television

Show Title / Episode	Actor	Character	Notation	Air Date
Samurai Commando: Mission 1549		JGSDF forces

Video Games

Game Title	Appears as	Mods	Notation	Release Date
Operation 7
Red Steel
Rainbow Six 3: Iron Wrath	Type 89F		Paratrooper model	2005

Anime

Film Title	Character	Notation	Date
Library War	Library Defense Force soldiers.		2008
Patlabor: The Movie	JGSDF soldiers
Patlabor: The Movie 2	JGSDF soldiers
Saikano	JGSDF soldiers
Full Metal Panic	JGSDF soldiers
Ghost in the Shell Stand Alone Complex 2nd gig	Ishikawa and Kuze	Outfitted with futuristic furniture with hybrid cybernetic/optical sights