Harry Potter Sword Replicas Recalled in Japan for Violating Weapon Laws

Replica swords from the Harry Potter series, sold in Japan, were found to violate local weapons laws, prompting a recall and raising questions about the enforcement of strict regulations regarding edged weapons.

Replica swords associated with the Harry Potter franchise have been issued a recall in Japan due to non-compliance with the country's rigorous weapon laws. The replicas, representing Godric Gryffindor's sword, are full-sized and measure 86cm (34 inches), mounted on a wooden display. These items were sold by Warner Bros. Studio Japan LLC from May 2023 until late April this year. However, it wasn’t until November that authorities informed the studio that the swords had sufficient sharpness to be classified as actual weapons.

Reports indicate that over 350 of these replicas, priced at 30,000 yen (approximately $200 or £158) each, were sold during this period. The sword replicas were available at the Warner Bros. Studio Tour Tokyo: The Making of Harry Potter, which opened its doors in 2023 in Tokyo—a significant attraction being the first of its kind in Asia and the largest indoor Harry Potter venue globally.

In response to the situation, Warner Bros. Studios Japan LLC has launched a recall notice on its website, referencing a “distribution issue in Japan.” Customers who purchased the sword are advised to contact the company for "necessary action including logistics and refund." As of now, there has been no immediate statement from Warner Bros. regarding the issue, as the company has yet to respond to inquiries from media outlets.

Japan maintains strict regulations regarding weapons, which includes banning the possession of knives longer than 6cm (2 inches), a violation of which may result in a prison sentence of up to two years. For items that are sharp enough to be categorized as swords, they must be registered under the Firearms and Swords Control Law, except for those intended for display or training that are not capable of being sharpened.

While Japan is known for its low crime rates, incidents involving weapons do occur. Notably, in the previous year, a man in Yokohama was arrested for attacking his neighbor with a ceremonial samurai sword during a dispute.