ALTHOUGH PRIVATE OWNERSHIP OF GUNS IS PROHIBITED IN JAPAN, POLITICAL TERRORIST GROUPS, SUCH AS THE CHUKAKUHA AND THEIR IDEOLOGICAL OPPONENTS, THE KAKUMARUHA, ARM THEMSELVES WITH LETHAL STEEL PIPES, BARS, OR KNIVES AND SWORDS TO BEAT EACH OTHER IN BLOODY BATTLES AROUND TOKYO. JOINED BY CRIMINAL GANGS OF THE ECONOMIC UNDERWORLD, THESE GROUPS SUCCEED IN AVOIDING ARREST AND PROSECUTION. THE TOKYO POLICE HAVE MADE LITTLE PROGRESS EITHER IN SOLVING ANY OF THE REVOLUTIONARY MURDERS OR IN PREVENTING THE FACTIONAL STRIFE. NEITHER THE POLICE NOR THE PRESS SEEM TO KNOW THE IDENTITY OF THE TERRORISTS OR THE NATURE OF THEIR DISPUTES. ACCORDING TO THE SCANT INFORMATION AVAILABLE, THE CHUKAKUHA HOPE TO MAKE THEIR REVOLUTION PUBLIC BY BATTLING WITH THE POLICE AND THE ESTABLISHMENT, WHEREAS THE KUKAMURUHA INSIST THAT JAPAN IS NOT YET READY FOR REVOLUTION. THE RESPONSES OF THE JAPANESE GOVERNMENT TO THESE TERRORIST FACTIONAL DISPUTES HAVE BECOME INCREASINGLY REPRESSIVE. LEGISLATIVE MEASURES HAVE INCLUDED REVIVING THE 'MORALS' COURSE IN THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS, RESTRICTING POLITICAL ACTIVITIES OF TEACHERS, AND TIGHTENING THE NATION'S LIBERAL ABORTION LAW. EVEN MORE POTENTIALLY REPRESSIVE IS THE PROPOSED REVISION OF THE JAPANESE PENAL CODE WHICH WOULD PROVIDE A 3-YEAR PRISON SENTENCE FOR ANYONE FOUND GUILTY OF 'INSULTING' A FOREIGN CHIEF OF STATE, FOR ALCOHOLIC CONVICTS, AND FOR ANYONE CAUGHT PUBLICIZING INDUSTRIAL SECRETS. OTHER OMINOUS MEASURES ARE NOTED IN VIEW OF THE RECENT ESCALATION OF TERRORIST VIOLENCE. (WJR)