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| The Arisaka Rifle as depicted in the 2021 movie Arisaka |
The Japanese main battle rifle during World War 2 was the Arisaka rifle. It had several outdated features such as being bolt action (you need to cock the gun after every shot) and having a small magazine of 5 rounds.
The M1 Garand, the American main rifle during the Pacific Campaign, was semi-automatic (you did not need to cock after every shot) and had a magazine of 8 rounds.
Thus while seemingly inferior, the Imperial Japanese continued to stick with the rifle throughout the war.
Early development (Type 30)
The first version of the Arisaka was the Type 30, and was designed for Japanese needs in 1897. It was lightweight (4kg), and allowed for bayonet and sight attachments.
It was Japan's main rifle during the Russo-Japanese war of 1904 -1905 and soon the engineers noted several flaws.
The Type 30 had a weak firing pin spring, a complex bolt design prone to jamming in harsh conditions, and a poorly designed safety mechanism. Thus there was a need to improve on the design, especially if Japan were to continue its colonial ambitions.
Type 38
In 1905, the Japanese released a new version of the Arisaka. This version would be used throughout the Pacific War.
The Type 38 featured a redesigned bolt and receiver, making it one of the strongest bolt-action rifles of its era, capable of handling high-pressure rounds safely. A sliding dust cover was added to protect the bolt from dirt and debris, enhancing performance in muddy or dusty environments.
Despite this, the Japanese noted the flaw of the ammunition, the obsolete 6.5 mm rounds. It lacked the stopping power (ability to incapacitate opponents) compared to the European equivalents. If Japan planned to take on the European powers in the war, they needed a stronger version.
Type 99
In 1939, the Type 99 was introduced with the 7.7mm rounds. The sights of the Arisaka were improved to allow infantry to engage at longer distances.
"Last ditch" Type 99
As the war dragged on, Imperial Japan lacked the raw materials necessary to ensure the quality of the Type 99. Thus variant "last ditch" was made with reduced quality of the rifle butt, sights, range and accuracy.
Conclusion
The Arisaka rifle improved significantly from the Type 30 to the Type 38 and Type 99, with stronger actions, better reliability, more powerful ammunition, and specialized variants for modern warfare. However, late-war production declines and Japan’s failure to adopt semi-automatic designs limited its competitiveness by 1945. The Type 38 and early Type 99 remain highly regarded for their robustness and reliability, making them notable in military history.
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