The Howa Type 89 Assault Rifle (89式小銃, hachi-kyū-shiki-shōjū), referred to as the type 89 5.56mm rifle (89式5.56mm小銃, hachi-kyū-shiki-go-ten-go-roku-miri-shōjū),[5][6] is a Japanese assault rifle used by the Japan Self-Defense Forces,[6] the Japan Coast Guard's Special Security Team units,[6] and the Special Assault Team.[7] It was never exported outside Japan due to its strict anti-hardware export policy. It is known in JGSDF service as Buddy.[6][8]