A U.S. military personnel was recently seen walking openly on a public highway in Japan while carrying a gun. Local city officials have lodged a formal protest against the visibly armed soldier's conduct, a violation of military regulations and local law. This incident has reignited concerns about the U.S. military forces stationed in Japan, adding tension to the existing relations between the local community and U.S. bases.

Gun control laws in Japan are among the strictest in the world, and public displays of firearms are highly unusual and considered alarming. U.S. military bases exist under the Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) with strict rules about firearms. Incidents like these violate both Japan's societal norms and the legal protocols established under SOFA. They often become controversial, leading to public discussions about the influence and conduct of U.S. forces in Japan.

In the U.S. or EU, depending on local laws, open carry of firearms may be legal and, in some places, it is a familiar sight. However, foreign military personnel are typically bound by separate rules regarding firearms, much like in Japan. Countries hosting foreign military bases often face similar issues of jurisdiction and conduct.