Howa Type 64

Background

In 1957, the Japan Self-Defense Forces (JSDF) began the search for a new automatic infantry rifle. Being heavily biased to the US in its military trends, Japan probably had no option in ammunition other than the newest US creation, the 7.62x51 NATO cartridge. However, the JSDF felt that this round was too powerful, especially for the smaller and lighter physical structure of most Japanese soldiers. Japanese experts accordingly developed a reduced loading, same in all dimensions to the standard 7.62x51mm NATO but with a lighter bullet and a smaller powder charge that generated muzzle velocities of about 715 meters per second instead of the "NATO original" 810 meters per second. The Howa Machinery Co developed the rifle for new cartridge, working closely with the JSDF. In 1964, the 7.62mm prototype rifle R6E was adopted for JSDF service as the Type 64 rifle. Howa produced it exclusively for the JSDF until about 1988. Since 1990 the Type 64 rifle has been gradually phased out of service in favor of the 5.56x45mm Type 89 rifles. The Type 64 rifle was never exported from Japan due to laws.

The Type 64 rifle is a gas operated, selective fired weapon. The gas and bolt system were most probably inspired either by the Belgian FN FAL or by Soviet Tokarev SVT-40 Rifles. The Type 64 has a short-stroke gas piston located above the barrel and fitted with manual gas regulator (easily allowing adjustment to use of full power NATO cartridges if needed). The bolt is locked by tipping its rear end down into recess in the receiver floor. The charging handle is located above the bolt carrier and is readily accessible by either hand. The safety switch / fire mode selector is located on the right side of the receiver, above the trigger guard.

The striker-fired trigger unit is of original design and features a patented fire-rate reducer, which produces a controllable rate of fire of about 450 - 500 shots per minute. Type 64 rifles are fitted with solid wooden buttstocks and hinged steel buttplates, lightweight folding bipods, and massive muzzle brakes which greatly aid in controlling recoil while also serving as rifle grenade launchers. The open sights are mounted on folding posts, and the rear sight has two range settings, for 200 and 400 meters.

The reduced load cartridges and reduced rate of fire arguably make these and the original Spanish CETME guns the only true 'assault rifles' in 7.62x51 caliber, as they are the only ones which stand any chance of being easily controllable in fully-automatic fire.

Specifications

Howa Type 64 rifle - 7.62x51mm

File:Howa Type 64 DMR.jpg

Howa Type 64 Designated Marksman Rifle - 7.62x51mm

• Caliber: 7.62x51 mm Japanese Service - (Still interchangeable with 7.62x51 mm NATO)

• Action: Gas operated, tilting bolt

• Overall length: 990 mm

• Barrel length: 450 mm

• Weight: 4,3 kg less magazine

• Rate of fire: 450-500 rounds per minute

• Magazine capacity: 20 rounds M14 type magazine

The Howa Type 64 and variants can be seen in the following films, video games, and anime used by the following actors:

Film

Title	Actor	Character	Notation	Date
Destroy All Monsters		JGSDF personnel		1968
The Return of Godzilla		JGSDF personnel		1984
Godzilla vs. Biollante		JGSDF personnel		1989
Godzilla and Mothra: The Battle for Earth		JGSDF personnel		1992
Godzilla 2000		JGSDF personnel		1999
Godzilla vs. Megaguirus		JGSDF personnel		2000
Godzilla Against Mechagodzilla		JGSDF personnel		2002
Godzilla: Tokyo S.O.S.		JGSDF personnel		2003

Television

Title	Actor	Character	Note	Date
Ninja Sentai Kakuranger		The group of Dorodoros		1994

Anime

Film	Character	Notation	Date
Angel Cop	JGSDF Special Forces soldiers	Regular and DMR variants	1989
Patlabor: The Movie 2	JGSDF soldiers		1993
Harlock Saga	Tochiro		1999
Library War	Library Defense Force soldiers		2008
The Skull Man	Soldiers		2009

Video Games

Game Title	Appears as	Mods	Notation	Release Date
Joukyou Kaishi!				2005
Alliance of Valiant Arms				2007

See Also

• Howa - A list of all firearms manufactured by Howa.