What chance do a bunch of rag-tag civilians stand against a hardened and highly-trained group of professionally trained killers?
Quite a good one, it turns out.
Known as a “survival game” (サバイバルゲーム) or just “saba-ge” (サバゲ) in Japan, airsoft is a hometown invention – the creation of photographer Nagata Ichiro, who wanted a way to shoot and play soldier while conforming to Japan’s strict gun laws. The game remains popular in Japan and around the world, with die-hard enthusiasts modding their out-of-the-box pellet guns for better range.
Many police and military now use airsoft guns for war games training, as the plastic pellets don’t cause any bodily injury. Civilians who want to stay active or let out their killer instincts in a safe way also participate in mock battles for fun.
But what happens when you pit soldiers versus civilians? An event at Ground Zero Osaka sought to find out on December 28th, pitting 50 current Self-Defense Forces members against 100 civilians. The game was Capture the Flag style, with the first team that secured and sounded a whistle kept in a box by the opposing team declared the winner.
So, who won? Well…no one. The civilians drew the professional soldiers to a draw.
A writer who participated in the battle says that the SDF soldiers were fast and didn’t hesitate. The soldiers also had solid teamwork and communication and knew how to use their rifles effectively.
However, not all of the SDF soldiers were combat-trained army soldiers. And the 100 civilians were all airsoft pros. (Some of them were also former SDF themselves.)
The civilians say they were impressed by the SDF members’ “polished” movements that left nothing to chance.
As for the soldiers? “There’s no way to win against that many people,” one lamented.
I guess it’s true there’s strength in numbers.
What to read next
Kanagawa Police Stop Issuing Skirts to Female Officers
A sexist symbol of Japan’s past is no more: As of February 2025, Kanagawa Police say new female recruits will only receive slacks.
Tokyo May Fund Study Abroad to Counteract Weak Yen
The plan is coming under fire from some who say such programs should be spearheaded by the central government to benefit all of Japan.
Muslim Cemetery in Miyagi Prefecture Will Proceed Despite Resistance
The prefecture has received 400 objections to the proposed cemetery, which would be the 11th in the country.
