How did tenpin bowling spread to Japan and other parts of Asia in the 1970s?

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bowling Tommy Jones competing in the Professional Bowlers Association Tournament of Champions final in Uncasville, Conn., April 1, 2007.

The expansion of tenpin bowling into Japan and other parts of Asia during the early 1970s was driven by equipment manufacturers seeking new markets as the sport's popularity peaked in the United States during the mid-1960s.1

In Japan, the sport gained significant traction through the promotion of professional competition. Leading players from the Professional Bowlers Association (PBA) were invited to participate in an annual tournament, which helped elevate the game's profile. A notable cultural difference emerged in the Japanese market: while male professionals dominated the sport on American television, female bowlers became the most popular figures on Japanese broadcasts.1

Following its success in Japan, the bowling boom expanded into several other Asian localities, including Hong Kong, Thailand, Singapore, Korea, and Indonesia.1