Photo Of The Day: For some reason, it’s always difficult to get clean pictures of Japanese infantry firearms, but here’s a welcome exception. Here we have Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force soldiers assigned to the 34th Infantry Regiment, 1st Division. They’re engaging in a firefight during a guard and protect exercise in Samurai Readiness Inspection at Yokota Air Base, Japan, 2021.

The rifle? It’s the Howa Type 89 in 5.56x45mm NATO. You could call this rifle rare, as it’s never been exported outside Japan. The Howa carries a lot of similarities with the ArmaLite AR-18.

In the scenario, enemies attacked a compound with modified M4 Carbines while JGSDF soldiers protected the base with their Howa Type 89.

Below: A Japan Ground Self-Defense Force soldier engages in close quarter combat during a guard and protect exercise. It looks like the exercise was rather tense.

A Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force soldier assigned to the 34th Infantry Regiment, 1st Division reports a situation to his commander.

Members of the 374th Security Forces Squadron simulate a terrorist attack

Japan Ground Self-Defense soldiers assigned to the 34th Infantry Regiment, 1st Division are attacked by simulated terrorists

Senior Airman Erick Gorsuch, 374th Security Forces Squadron patrolman, engages in fire fighting.

Airman Bryon Robinson, 374th Security Forces Squadron patrolman, conducts fire flighting on a Humvee.

Check here for more: Japan’s Defense Force Selects Howa 5.56 and HK SFP9 For New Rifle & Pistol, The Japanese Howa Type 89, and the mythical modernized version and Japan’s New Type 20 Rifle.

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Photo by U.S. Air Force, Yasuo Osakabe