It looks like Head1950 have been making progress with regards to what they call a grey area in Japanese law. From what can be made out from the translation it looks like there was confusion as to whether a product half metal Airsoft pistol replica was legal or not in Japan. It now looks that the major Japanese players now have some form of formal approval to allow ASGK stamped pistols to be produced fitted with a metal slide and barrel out the box if they so wish.
According to reports the pertenant material is in the two inset documents (click images for larger versions). I can’t read it myself but there’s some nice red squiggles under what look like the important bits 
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Over at Airsoft Scotland they have a new offer on an HFC Beretta, this time with a gas magazine instead of the CO2 unit. Price is 88.99UKP:
Exactly the same as our infamous CO2 Beretta except this comes with a gas mag instead of the CO2 one. So, if you wanted this gun in the past but didn’t want to use CO2 cartridges, your dilemma has now been solved. Another factor of the CO2 model that put off some people was the extended magazine, the gas mag that comes with this pistol is a flush fit.
Fires at 300fps using 0.2g BB’s. Lives happily on green gas.
NOTE: Unlike the CO2 Beretta, this gas version cannot use both types of magazine. It can’t fire the CO2 mags due to a weaker hammer spring. We found this out at our peril, but that’s another story… Airsoft Scotland
Smokeys have a new adapter for the TM (mini AEG) G18C. This handy adapter allows you to fit a standard 7.2V battery externally to the G18C. Price for the new part is 2,520 Yen. Apparently the new adapter and external batteries do not impair mobility when fitted (well that’s what they say anyway).
According to Smokie’s text you can fit the battery on a power cord, much like a lanyard or have the battery externally fitted to the G18c on a mount. Whatever floats your boat I guess. It just seems a bit odd to tack on loads of gear onto a single pistol, but if it works I’m not one to complain.
