Howa Type 20

Development of the rifle began following a 2014 decision by the Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force to replace the Howa Type 89. Designers Harada Toshihiko, Kei Koyama, Koji Iwata, and Kazuhiro Kuroda completed the original design in 2015, and manufacturer Howa filed a secret design patent the same year. The Japanese Ministry of Defense conducted comparative testing against foreign firearms, including the Heckler & Koch HK416 and the FN SCAR-L, during evaluations in 2015 and 2018. Following these assessments, which evaluated land performance, logistics, and production costs, the Ministry of Defense selected the Howa design in December 2019. The weapon officially received the Type 20 designation in May 2020.

The firearm utilizes a gas-operated short-stroke piston mechanism. It is constructed with corrosion-resistant properties to withstand seawater exposure and features fully ambidextrous controls, including the safety selector. The design includes a telescoping stock with an integrated shoulder pad, foldable iron sights, and a handguard featuring an M-LOK rail system alongside extended side rails. The weapon uses STANAG-compatible magazines and lacks a three-round burst setting. It accommodates a modified Beretta GLX-160 grenade launcher mounted under the barrel and is compatible with the Type 89 bayonet. Accessories deployed with the weapon include Aimpoint CompM5 red dot sights, Steiner Optics OTAL-C laser targeting devices, SureFire M300C tactical flashlights, and a foregrip with an integrated miniature bipod. The weapon fires the proprietary J-3 high-power cartridge, which utilizes a monolithic, high-strength core, steel and red brass construction, and double-base powder.

The rifle entered service with the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force in 2019, with the initial deployment directed to the Amphibious Rapid Deployment Brigade. The weapon was deployed internationally during Exercise Talisman Sabre in 2023. Procurement schedules outline the acquisition of the rifle for the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force, Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, and Japan Air Self-Defense Force through 2026. No production variants are documented in service, though the development prototype is retained at the JGSDF Ordnance School.