In what country did airsoft originate during the 1970s as a way for civilians to own realistic-looking firearms?

Airsoft (Deals) was born in Japan where strict gun laws prohibited civilian ownership of real firearms, creating demand for realistic replicas that could safely fire projectiles. Japanese manufacturers developed the first spring-powered and gas-powered models that quickly became popular for target shooting and eventually team-based skirmishes. Today airsoft is a global sport with millions of players, but Japan remains a major hub for high-quality replica manufacturing.