Why Japan did not license the Bofors remains uncertain

Why did Japan not buy a license from Sweden to manufacture the Bofors 40 mm gun?

The reason is unresolved. The Bofors would probably have made Japanese fleet air defense much more practical even without radar.

The reason Japan did not buy a license for the Bofors 40 mm gun remains unresolved. Sweden was considered willing to sell the design, and the weapon would probably have given the Imperial Japanese Navy a more practical medium anti-aircraft battery than the Type 96. Its usefulness did not depend entirely on radar because the gun itself could improve local air defense. Only the likely battlefield value can be assessed here; the procurement decision remains undocumented.