[6] The company was renamed to its current name at the end of World War II and restarted manufacturing textile machinery.

Howa created copies of the US M1 Garand and the M1 carbine for the Japanese Self Defense Forces during the early days of the Cold War.

[7][8] Howa also designed and manufactured firearms for JGSDF use, including the following types (models): During the early 1970s, Howa produced the AR-18 and AR-180 5.56mm assault rifle as a license from Armalite Inc. of Costa Mesa, California,[15] which marketed the rifle to various military forces.

[16] Howa has produced a long line of civilian hunting and target practice rifles in a range of calibers.

Howa has also manufactured products or components for other firearm companies, such as Mossberg, Smith & Wesson, and Weatherby.