Japanese national sentenced for scheme to export gun parts, tactical gear
HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – A Japanese businessman caught with hundreds of firearm components at Honolulu’s airport was sentenced to federal prison Tuesday.
Shota Yamamoto, 29, of Tokyo, Japan, was sentenced to one year and one day in prison for conspiring to violate the Export Control Reform Act by exporting firearm components and tactical accessories to Japan, the U.S. attorney’s office said.
Yamamoto pleaded guilty in federal court on Jan. 22.
According to court records, from March 2024 through July 2025, Yamamoto conspired with another person to export firearm components from the U.S. to Japan without the required licenses.
Yamamoto intended to use those items to retrofit airsoft equipment to sell to Japanese airsoft enthusiasts looking for realistic equipment, court records said.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Hawaii, said the components and accessories included AR-15 lower receiver parts kits, upper receivers, magazines, and similar components, each of which requires a license to export.
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The office stated that Yamamoto used an address in Hawaii to receive shipments from U.S. firearms component and accessory dealers. He then had them exported to Japan by carrying them in checked luggage or having them shipped through a commercial shipping company.
Yamamoto admitted to not having the proper licenses, and he exported or attempted to export over 900 firearm components and accessories.
“The unlawful export of firearm components endangers the public and presents a significant national security threat,” said U.S. Attorney Ken Sorenson. “Yamamoto’s sentence and expected deportation should serve as a stern warning that this conduct will not be tolerated.”
The office said that Yamamoto must forfeit all the gun parts and is expected to be deported to Japan after he completes his sentence.
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