POTD: The Japanese Howa Type 20 Makes Its Indonesian Debut

By Eric B •
potd the japanese howa type 20 makes its indonesian debut

Today's TFB Photo of the Day is a rare look at Japan's newest rifle earning its passport stamps. At the Indonesian Marine Corps 9th Infantry Battalion base near Lampung, Indonesia, a Japan Ground Self-Defense Force service member with the 2nd Amphibious Rapid Deployment Regiment, Amphibious Rapid Deployment Brigade, fires their Howa Type 20 during Exercise Super Garuda Shield 26. This is Japan's current-generation service rifle and the replacement for the long-serving Type 89.

potd the japanese howa type 20 makes its indonesian debut

It's a rifle still new enough that seeing it fired outside Japan turns heads among people who track this sort of thing (guilty as charged!). Elsewhere on the same line, a Republic of Korea service member ran a Daewoo K1 submachine gun through its paces, while U.S. Marines carried M27 Infantry Automatic Rifles, giving the firing point a lineup that could pass for a small arms trade show. Just check below!

potd the japanese howa type 20 makes its indonesian debut
potd the japanese howa type 20 makes its indonesian debut
potd the japanese howa type 20 makes its indonesian debut

For more details on the Japanese rifle, check out the following article: Proposed Updates for the Japanese Howa Type 20.


Images by: Sgt. Kyle Chan, U.S. Marine Corps.