Microsoft Japan “Committed” to Release Xbox One in Sony and Nintendo’s Turf in 2014

Microsoft Japan just held its Xbox 360 end of the year informal party in Tokyo, and Xbox Division General Manager Takashi Sensui was in attendance. During a brief speech he said that the company is “committed” to release the Xbox One in the country in 2014, which is a relief considering that the web has been quite rife with rumors about delays of the console in markets much nearer to Microsoft’s core target than Japan.

[DEEBO]

Good luck with that.

[Funky Town_TX]

I agree 100%. Why waste time and money on Japan? For the last 12 plus years they have shown that they do not want xbox. Now M$ will waste millions on a sh8t JRPG that no one will buy. M$ will never learn.

[Concertoine]

To be fair they dont invest in shit stuff for japan. Blue dragon and lost odyssey were good games. And rumor says one of the exclusives they got for xbone is being made by platinum games.

[zeal0us]

Why waste time and money on Japan? Well because everyone knows third time's the charm.

Seriously though MS will have even a harder time this go around. The X1 is priced higher than the PS4 and WiiU. Most of those X1 TV apps and features are appealing to some people in the West. Unless MS figure out a to make them Japan-centric, I don't see those apps and features appealing to them either.

MS need to appeal to more local Japanese developers not just the big developers like SE,Capcom,Namco and Tecmo.

[Eonjay]

Customer service on Xbox in Japan must be a breeze.

[Magicite]

About JRPG you are wrong! They actually made great JRPG this gen - Lost Odyssey and probably Blue Dragon too.
Im not a Xbox fan but even here I cannot disagree with facts which speak good towards MS.

[mikeslemonade]

Lost Odyssey is one of the better JRPGs last generation. It's better than FFXIII.

However it's not only the X1 system, it's also the consumers in Japan just have bad taste. They continue to play DS, PSP, and Wii.

[dedicatedtogamers]

Microsoft seems to be giving up on every single region in the world with Xbox One except for USA + UK (based on their advertisement and their focus on apps that don't work anywhere except US and UK).

I would not be surprised to see a similar "who cares?" attitude toward Japan from them.

[mcstorm]

I think it will be interesting this time around to see if Microsoft can improve there number there over the last Xbox. I think it will also be interesting to see the ps4 and wiiu numbers at the end of next year too as Japan seems to be going down the handheld rout.

[HelpfulGamer]

Let Microsoft spend billions making Japanese Game for Xbox, because it also helps Japanese Developer make better games for Playstation.

[ABizzel1]

They have to simply because the Xbox 360 has a small audience there. I say send a couple hundred thousands (200k), and call it a year. Then send another 200k throughout each of the following years, until the end of the generation (2020 IMO).

Don't focus on Japan, focus on NA, EU, and China.

[HardcoreDaBoss]

they are trying though and thats good I guess.. But I agree Its not going to do good at all.. Japan buys sony and nintendo and thats just facts.. I think the will waste too much money for nothing.. at least they try? good luck to them

[kreate]

blue dragon is boring. lost odyssey is hard to get into. regardless.

Microsoft did a great job in the early days of the xbox360 in japan. inifinite undiscovery, last remnant, idol master, ace combat. also securing timed exclusive games like tales of vesp, star ocean, eternal sonata.

software wise Microsoft had japan. hardwarewise the console kinda sucked (RROD), the controller was not a popular controller in the hands of Asians, and charging for xbox live was considered ridiculous at the time since their heavy hitters were mostly single player games.

but the 360 is still Microsoft's most successful console so far. I saw the 360 in quite a few animes over the ps3.

it was all fine and dandy until the release of the metal gear solid 4 on the ps3. than all hell broke loose for the 360 and it was all downhill from there.

Microsoft failed to secure anymore exclusives in japan. no more games were being pumped out in japan. and the last popular game idol master lost its exclusivity.

with whispers of previous xbox exclusive games coming out on the ps3 with extra content.

all the Japanese advertisement stopped. as Microsoft was dealing with the RROD epidemic, they also started downsizing their studios and game investing power. microsoft game studios changed to microsoft studios. shifted remaining resources to America.

looking at the sales and popularity of the Nintendo wii, microsoft changed focus.

while sony shifted all their resources from the ps2/psp to the ps3, announcing lots of new games and releasing triple AAA titles all the way to the present time putting microsoft to shame.

in the end.
not only did microsoft lose japan but pretty much the entire global sales vs sony and Nintendo.

if they want to succeed in japan, they need to repeat what they did in japan between 2005-2008 and NOT repeat all those failing moves. but looking at the current xbox one. as its more of a tv box compared to the 360, I doubt its going to do anything in japan or any Asian countries for that matter. unless they surprise everyone with multiple Japanese centric triple AAA titles and sony/Nintendo just sits there doing nothing.

they're only hope is America.
if they lose America. than all is lost.

[Prime157]

I agree with you from the fact of how the culture thinks and behaves..

But Microsoft sees the value in TRYING to break ground. In terms of how much a market spends on video games it goes (usd), 1) North America is first followed by either Japan or uk. Here are just a few resources.

http://www.mapsofworld.com/...

http://www.whichcountry.co/...

Edit: I tried to link 2 more resources but it's not easy from this phone... just search it if you want more of the biggest markets (Brazil and China and nk are on the rise). Sorry I couldn't link more.

[Gamer1982]

To conquer Japan you need to invest in new 1st party exclusives instead of 3rd party dlc. Japanese just not interested in MGS exclusive DLC. you won't conquer them that easy like you did with the USA. They are not that casual they unlike the US actually like top quality made games and don't care about exclusive DLC more than the actual games.

[Retroman]

Took the words right out of my mouth after reading article title.

Good luck with that MS you'll need more than a fortune cookie.

[amiga-man]

The Xbox won't make a dent in the PS4s domination in Japan, the market belongs to Nintendo and Sony, but by all means M$ waste your money trying.

[XiSasukeUchiha]

MS just Give up on Japan it's best save your resources and money

[FLYINGDOG]

Well said

[ZombieKiller]

Well they don't need luck with the release....

It's the sales they need luck with over there! ESPECIALLY with PS4 being the way it is now.

DOMINATION!

[Magicite]

In this case even luck wont help. PS4 already dominates Japan without even yet being released.

[avengers1978]

When's the last time they even sold a 1000 units in a week in japan. MS should save those consoles for territories they might actual sell in

[Sarcasm]

Good miracle with that.

[3-4-5]

Just like Bill was committed to Hilary.

[DarkZane]

When will Microsoft learn? They're so irrelevant in Japan that not releasing there would be the same.

[zeal0us]

Well first Microsoft need to learn how to appeal to Japan. For the last two generation they have been using the same tactic they used for their Western audience. What works in one area doesn't necessarily mean it work in another.

They need more than cutesy anime mascot and special promotions to appeal to them.

[Aclay]

If anything, I think it's important for Microsoft to sell the X1 in Japan to show Japanese developers & publishers that they at least acknowledge Japan's audience despite the fact that Xbox hasn't sold well over there.

I don't think Microsoft would be in good standing with some Japanese developers/publishers in the future if they didn't support to sell their own system over there.

I mean who knows, Microsoft pulling the plug on Japan and not selling the X1 over there could cause some Japanese devs to not develop games for the X1, and that wouldn't be good for MS, especially if it were one of the big gaming companies in Japan like Konami or Square.

[Belking]

It doesn't even matter with japan anymore. The japaneses have shown that they are into handheld games more. The ps3 didn't even have that much success there compared to the US. Ms just needs to make a little improvement there. They sold over 80 million consoles and japan played a very small contribution to that.

[Funky Town_TX]

I bet they loose money releasing in Japan.

[DigitalRaptor]

Watch PS4 be a success in Japan.

PS3 was a success there, Wii was a success there. Handhelds are larger successes than handhelds, obviously, but just because Xbox isn't relevant in Japan, and the Wii U isn't doing that well anywhere - doesn't mean consoles aren't relevant in Japan.

[hellzsupernova]

You are correct Sony has sold through two pre order placements for japan already playstation 4 will be successful in japan

[Theyellowflash30]

DigitalRapter

The Wii U outsold the PS3 in its first year on market.

The Wii U has outsold the PS3 in japan for the past couple months.

The PS3 sold less than 10 million units in 7 years on the market.That is not great. Wii U is currently on track to top PS3 lifetime sales, in a shorter amount of time in Japan.

Wii U sales have risen dramatically since November.

[GarrusVakarian]

PS4 dominates in Japan, MS doesn't stand a chance. Japan would never let another a foreign console dominate in their home country like the PS4 does in the US.

MS might as well just stop focusing any of their money/attention in Japan, they don't want what MS has to offer.

[Ricegum]

Haha. Another one of Belking's terrible comments. Yay.

[tee_bag242]

So many disagree's yet you speak truth. But I live in Japan so what would I know either right!

[mmj]

They should be committed to a mental health clinic for even bothering, Japan simply doesn't want Xbox.

[2pacalypsenow]

who cares the xbox 360 was no match , what makes them think the xbox 1 will?

[staticdash22]

I appreciate that they are trying, but at what point do they realize its just not going to work. I'm all for trying, and switching up your strategy,m but that hasn't worked for the past two game generations. They're bleeding resources and you've got to wonder are they taking a loss in that region, because the console market in Japan has been decreasing the past 5 years. Is there enough room for marketshare of the xbox one? Microsoft's best chance is to release a portable console, because that's where the demographic is moving.

[chrissx]

M$ got som money to burn

[WeAreLegion]

They just burned over 1 billion dollars advertising the XBO. Severing from the Xbox division might do Xbox some good. If it is forced to maintain itself, I'm sure we'll see great things from them, once again. Could be the best thing for them.

[jessupj]

They've trying to combat their immense negative perception. I don't think they were counting on the internet to be such a huge word of mouth tool against them and for sony.

Looks like not even 1 billion will help them against it.

It's good to see people wising up and not blindly following everything they see on tv.

[hazardman]

You make it seem like there is nothing good now.

[mrpsychoticstalker]

How about Xbox one releasing there with the latest final fantasy, dragon hunter, and pokemon for free.

That would definitely generate a lot of initial sales, which is what Microsoft needs.

So its not entirely impossible to please the japanese audience.

[Abriael]

haha, that story could have been written by George Lucas :D

[KakashiHotake]

You've got quite an imagination there kid lol

[hellzsupernova]

Yes because nintendos going to let Microsoft have Pokemon.
Sonys going to give up its shares in square and have an exclusive I'm assuming that's what you meant otherwise it would be irrelevant final fantasy
And I couldn't find anything relevant to what dragon hunter is? I googled it and came up with monster hunter and some mobile games

[JackISbacK]

but at least they must try ,trying willl only make them a better industry ,MS knows waht these people needs ,japanese people needs japanes games ,becasue they never appreciate western work wether its last of us or gta5 ,if microsoft osaka and platinum and many rumored devs make games for xb1 the best benifitted will be wester audience ,if we like thosse japanes games may be those japanes may also like themself too,1 or 2 games will not do for theem ,they need many games releasing constantly,but it is still very hard ,these japanese use be very dedicated to their countries work .that is why most western companies are super flop there ,leaving apple which know how to bring japanese to their products ,if MS also develop those strategies it can be possible to sell well ,but i dont expect it to beat ps4 in japan ,but selling well will do for them.this will esteblish them there and may be can be benificial for future.

[jholden3249]

Did they SEE the latest hardware charts lol? This is last week's sales followed by the prior week's sales in parentheses...

3DS XL – 164,078 (130,710)
Wii U – 109,113 (74,903)
3DS – 68,522 (50,846)
PlayStation Vita – 50,087 (30,440)
PlayStation 3 – 24,573 (23,959)
PSP – 9,905 (6,475)
PlayStation Vita TV – 5,504 (5,506)
Wii – 1,711 (1,197)
Xbox 360 – 763 (536)

[DragonKnight]

LMAO, the PSP? It's outselling the 360? That's too funny.

[Ricegum]

Dem sales. And then people like Belking has the audacity to come out and say that Japan doesn't matter sales wise. I'm pretty sure MS wants a piece of that pie.

[christocolus]

Nice..good to know MS aint giving up on Japan.the small xbx community there will atleast get to try out the new console besides many devs supporting the xbx one are actually japanese i.e hideo. k, capcom, square, shinji. m etc

Phil spencer needs to give us more details on the rumored titles in development for xbx one in japan..so little is known besides his statement about a collaboration between their own studio and some 3rd party studios. Im quite eager to know if platinum games is among those onboard and if sequels to phantum dust ,blinx and otogi will be announced ..with that said Lost odysee and blue dragon sequels wouldnt be a bad at all. Ive got friends who would go crazy if those two were announced....lol

lost odysee2 would look so bad ass on xbx one..atleast the consoles region free now so the west gets to play too.

I wouldnt be surprised if ms launched a redesigned version(cheaper and maybe without kinect) afterall a taiwan factory currently producing the console stated recently that production of a a new version of the xbx one would start in march(who knows)but if true it would surely help.

[DragonKnight]

The small community should just move on. Beyond the already announced commitments for the Xbox One coming from normally multiplat devs, the X1 is far too much of an American system to be adopted by the Japanese gamers. I would expect less adoption of this console than the 360 due to the size of the device, an unnecessary peripheral, and the huge lack of features for the device outside of the U.S.

I don't know why so many are hyping up Platinum Games lately. They made one great game in Bayonetta and the rest of them are either not good enough for people to bring up in general discussion, or is Revengeance, or is arguments about Bayonetta 2 exclusivity.

Konami's audience is on Playstation, Capcom have to play it safe due to their financial situation, SE haven't been able to produce quality console games in quite awhile (remember, SE, not Eidos), you can't count on Shinji Mikami given that he just started his own studio and he's stated that The Evil Within will be the last game he directs.

L.O. and Blue Dragon 2 are probably not going to happen with Mistwalker's increased focus on iOS or other "low stress" games.

Don't get your hopes up for Xbox One and the Japanese development scene.

[christocolus]

They may not sell much but im betting it will be better than the xbx 360 sales. Microsoft just needs to understand that market better and i think delaying the launch and getting proper japanese developed titles ready is a really good idea. The games may not end up selling much in japan either but some of them will do really well outside japan.

My guess is that ms will launch the xbx one in japan same period with china with titles built to the taste of gamers in those countries.

Shinji and Hideo have both stated they are eager to use kinect in very innovative ways same with suda51. capcom has always supported ms and square enix too(FFIV isnt on xbx one because of microsoft xbxlive policies square still wants to bring it over).that aside this time it wont be any different.devs will still support the xbx one. Worse case scenario Ms funds some of them to make some exclusive titles..

Also platinum made vanquish,bayonetta, mgs rising and i enjoyed all those games. They are actually very good at fast action type games.im still keeping my hopes up for Lost odysee and blu dragon. Otogi and blinx devs are still out there and ms is already trying to get a sequel to phantum dust. I enjoyed all those games and many of my friends did too. Even if these titles aint released im still eager to know what the new ips will be.

[creatchee]

@DragonKnight

"The small community should just move on."

The very idea of a community is that it doesn't move on - it stays loyal and enjoys a specific type of product.

We get it - you hate Microsoft. But some people don't and have no problem supporting them, no matter how marginalized that you purport them to be.

[DragonKnight]

@christocolus: I doubt the One will sell better than the 360. The entire philosophy around the device has pretty much nothing that is typically Japanese in interest, not to mention the core features won't even be available there until who knows when. What incentive is there to buy the One when the marketing surrounding it is a huge push for television and other American sensibilities?

Shinji, Hideo, and suda51 can say they are eager all they want. It remains to be seen if they will actually follow through. How many times has a dev, any dev, said they were eager to use some feature and either didn't, or used it poorly? Capcom actually hasn't always supported MS, it's only been the PS3/360 gen in which their support for MS has ramped up, same with Square (and I think you mean XIV, not IV) and I don't think you can say nothing will be different. We've seen what can happen if one console achieves an early, and insurmountable, lead. That means it gets the support, the others don't because the costs won't justify it. Not saying that that's going to happen, just saying it can.

You mentioned 3 games. Just because you enjoyed them doesn't mean the studio is an epic one. Not to discount your opinion or anything, I'm just saying that people should wait until they have more great games under their belt before believing that having a studio like Platinum Games is a scale tipper.

@creatchee: What we get is that your panties are in a bunch because someone said even the slightest negative about MS' presence anywhere in the world. You need to get over yourself. Nothing I've said is factually inaccurate and infeasible. And a community is not defined as an entity that doesn't move on, it's defined as a group with common interests coming together and that's all. That's why communities rise and fall all the time. There comes a point where it isn't your best interest to support something that, because so many DON'T support it, doesn't get support from the parent company that it needs to justify the money you put into it.

Microsoft isn't sending you a check, so your staunch defense of it today can cease at your leisure.

[JackISbacK]

lol you never liked xb1 ,wether its US,japan or around the world.
becasue you never wanted it to be success ,please let them have their cake and let these people enjoy their choise ,what they need is only games ,japan dont matters to them but games.
keep peace bud enjoy you ps4 and let them enjoy their.

[DragonKnight]

@JackISbacK: Whether I like XB1 or not is irrelevant. It's a fact that Japan doesn't like Xbox. Not one or 2 people in Japan, most of the country. What I'm saying is backed up by the numbers.

[DigitalRaptor]

They serious?

Should be interesting.

[KakashiHotake]

Like a lamb to the slaughter.

[snookiegamer]

A free game such as Monster Hunter could help, and definitely redesign the Xbox One and make it smaller for a start. Japanese peoples homes are generally quite small. The XB1 will look way too big.

I have to agree that the Japanese are pretty cold on the Xbox brand, and not because it's American, because Apple products do well in that region.

[DragonKnight]

It is because it's American. Just because Apple does well there doesn't mean it's not because it's American. The Xbox brand has always been one of heavy western influence. From design, to feature inclusion and localization, to genre focus, Xbox is American. Apple doesn't have that problem with their iPhones and that's why Japan adopts them so easily.

Hell, ask the original designers of the original Xbox and they'll tell you that Xbox did poorly in Japan because of how "Western" it really was and how out of touch Microsoft was with what Japanese gamers wanted and expected out of gaming consoles.

[NihonjinChick]

What you described isn't Japanese people not liking Xbox because it's American.What you described is Japanese people not liking Xbox because mainly tries to cater to Americans.

There is a difference. People from Japan, just like you, will buy any product that sparks their interest. The Xbox just fails to do that. However, if that product does not try to cater to the taste of people in the country, they won't buy it. That's the problem. The Xbox barley gets any exclusives and the exclusives that it does get don't fit the fast of people in Japan. They don't want to play Halo or Gears of War. Where the company is from has nothing to do with it. What they have to offer is what really matters.

[cyphertech]

Well, Sony already beat MS in their home turf.

[nigelp520]

From Microsoft Japan we got

Lost Odyssey
Blue Dragon
Phantom Dust
Blinx
Ninety Nine Nights

Think of all the exclusives Japanese studios published for Microsoft systems

Panzer Dragoon Orta
Steel Battalion
Dead Rising
Ninja Gaiden
Dead or Alive series
etc

[DigitalRaptor]

That's still not a lot.

The majority of those are early Xbox games that were the result of some serious moneyhatting. Microsoft will need to show a ton more commitment to the Japanese audience/industry other than trying to procure an early advantage for their console in the region.

[Kaiou]

Hey we got Otogi , Phantom Dust , Lost Odyssey , Blue Dragon and Tales of Vesperia because of that , so i won't complain.

[TristanPR77]

I'm sure the xbone will perform even worst than the 360 in Japan. The xbone cost more, is not as powerful as the PS4 and it have kinect, a peripheral that Japan Also does not want.

Microsoft, have some honor and respect, don't bother releasing the xbone in Japan, it will be humiliating.

[modesign]

is this like alqueda selling kurans in america.lol

[EasilyTheBest]

Microsoft, you need to buy Sega. Get a few Sega exclusives up and running then bring out your X1 under Sega.
So it will be Sega X1.
Sounds pretty cool to me.
Maybe a good idea to skip Japan until you have an X1 slim aswell.

[PixelNinja]

Better trying then to never have tried at all, if Microsoft continue with games that would interest the Japanese audience (e.g. Lost Oddysey, Blue Dragon, Crimson Dragoon, Titanfall etc.) they could actually impact the Japanese territory, but that would be very unlikely lol.

[Goku781]

Losing battle, but not showing up would look worse. I feel bad for the people that must carry out this mission. Somebody has to say with a straight face that Xbox One is the only console needed in Japan. Who can say that with out laughing and believe it?

[PR_FROM_OHIO]

Why?? Lol

[urwifeminder]

Well done MS had some great fun with my fellow gamers from Japan on 360 mostly on test drive and homefront had many laughs look forward to more good times with my Japanese gaming friends.

[pyramidshead]

The PS4 will well there, much better than the Wii-U and MS should focus on NA to keep their mindshare and tackle Japan in 2015+ when they have games that appeal to the Japanese. That's why Sony is release when they are because of the games that will be around for their launch.

[snookiegamer]

Perhaps MS should consider licensing the tech to a Japanese company, similar to Sega Saturn/Hitachi back in the 90's. And I am sure those who truly believe the Japanese gamer have a dislike for Xbox has nothing to do with it being a western console, since Japanese companies have themselves said they are more focused on western markets than ever before.

Its shortsighted to even think that Japanese dislike western influenced products...Japanese love American culture.

Finally, Titanfall is a mech based shooter, and the Japanese love mech-anything.

[Spurg]

loool...only sony fanboys are saying don't invest in japan....cuz they don't want Japan devs to produce some exclusive games for X1.
Their money they wanna invest ....let them...you're not losing nothing.

[Hicken]

You're damn right I don't want another Lost Odyssey this generation. Or another Vesperia. I don't want to shell out money for a console I don't want that's made by a company I can't stand because they bought the exclusivity of an excellent game.

[Relientk77]

Aww sheeeeeeeeeet, it's bout to go down in 2014

[SaveFerris]

Major Japanese developers will of course release titles on the Xbox One as they would likely hope for sales in territories outside Japan. I doubt many smaller developers will take such a risk on the Xbox One without some incentives by Microsoft. Based on sales of the original Xbox and the 360, it wouldn't be good business especially for any console game for the local market.

[tubers]

Sophisticated Kinect 2.0 anime and/or hentai games.

Japan will love you.

[DEATHxTHExKIDx]

Well they gotta try. Just yesterday I purchased Tales of Versperia from XBL cause it was on sale. Cause I guess Namco Bandai wont release the PS3 version in the sates. At least theres an option to play it tho.

[NeloAnjelo]

Blindly committed they meant

[hazardman]

I'm glad MS is committed to Japan even if they dont stand a chance against Sony and Nintendo. Not to mention Japan will get some awesome exclusives from devs there that appeal to Japanese crowd and in turn we can buy them because region free. The games are one thing and a console is another tho. The Japanese are reluctant to give it a shot and it doesnt help that Xbox is American console and big and expensive.

MS needs to think outside box. We know the games are coming so why not new programming. Xbox should sign up famous Manga writers to create exclusive content for Xbox One. Snatch up some popular Anime for Xbox One. Also BDSM big out there maybe a dedicated channel. Crazy Japanese men and women tying each other up... idk but thats what I would look into and other things Japanese. Anyway good luck MS!!

[cellur111]

The xbox 360 sold less than 2million units, stop wasting your time microsoft.

[kingdom18]

At least I'll get something like a Lost Odyssey, or a Blue Dragon out of it. The sole and only reason why I'll get an Xbox One, along with Fable games.

[Ashby_JC]

They still should release it in Japan. They are not going to outsell anyone. That is not the goal. But they well stl a small amount there.

Abandoning Japan all together wouldn't be a good idea.

[PSnation4]

this is whats going to happen in japan

http://i.minus.com/iMYAdMT2...

[gigoran]

Their tag line in Japan
"Failure awaits"

I've lived in Japan for over a decade and watched every Xbox console there fail. They didn't have shelves for Xbox games in the stores, they had bins. Discount bins. If someone told a Japanese person they owned an Xbox they would laughs their heads off. It is and always has been a running joke in Japan. This isn't trolling. This is a simple fact from Japan itself.

[FLYINGDOG]

I think this is about ms " making a Xbox one " just for the Japanese market - made a Xbox J - small, less the tv and extra's plus a price break down. It will sell.. Like people always say " only in JP "

[Mikefizzled]

I don't care if they fail we got some good exclusives from their last attempt. Lost Odyssey, Ninja Blade and Project Sylpheed were few of my favourites.

[Flames76]

Japan is a dying market for consoles microsoft needs to focus on real gaming countrys.

[NeloAnjelo]

Actually when looking at percentage of console owners vs population, Japan is up there with NA and the UK.

Absolute numbers do not show the full picture.

[SynestheticRoar]

Microsoft will be number 1 in japan. lol jk.

[TheSaint]

They didn't even outsell PS4 in their 'home' territory, now they are just pouring salt on the wound.

What do they expect? Suddenly loads of Japanese people are going to forsake Sony and choose MS? lol no.

[CAB1802]

It's only Nintendo vs Sony in Japan
Sony vs Microsoft in Europe
Sony vs Microsoft vs Nintendo in America

[Rock_On_PS4]

XBox One should not bother releasing in Japan. It will sell less in Japan than the XBox 360 in Japan. I do not see XBox One selling more than 1 million total life time sales in Japan. XBox One will not sell any console systems in Japan and should not even bother- confirmed!

[snookiegamer]

MS had already committed to the Japanese market when they released both Xbox/Xbox 360. What about the (albeit small) customer base that did buy into the Xbox vision? Should these people simply be forgotten about?

If MS sell through 1.5 - 2 million XB1 consoles (lifetime) in Japan, believe it or not, this is considered a success. MS should continue to support this market.

The Xbox brand is still relatively a newcomer, and it would be a disservice to all gamer's should MS abandon the Xbox One campaign.

It's not the consumers loss, it is MS's should the console fail for a 3rd time in the aforementioned region. So don't be concerned unless you have mass shares in the company.

[shadyiswin]

not sure why everyone is making a big deal about it and saying give up and save your money. This is microsoft they are almost literally made of money and besides that....you people act as if they will be shipping millions there,the launch will prob consist of 20,000 to 50,000 systems and thats it till they sell thru. While it could take a year or so that's perfectly fine for microsoft. It would be stupid to not give a go in japan just for the sake of the respecting the developers they try to court. All they have to do is have some proper voice encoding for the kinect and add language options to the system,its not really costing them much to release in japan. You people make it like they will send millions and waste all this money,money is the last of there worries. Selling over a million lifetime in japan is horrible but not bad considering having almost 0 games,im betting half of those people are on xbox live,i even have a few on my friends list with ridiculous achievement scores cause they play both US and japanese versions of games. I also dont think its fair strip people of games to play,just how jrpg's are a ninch market here but the people who love it LOVE IT the same can be said about halo in japan or even forza,just making the option to buy it is a good decisions on microsoft and wont hurt them financially at all.

[Hakoom]

"committed suicide"
*fixed :p

[Rock_On_PS4]

Most XBox 360 sales in Japan are by American ex-pats living in Japan or foreigners importing from Japan to play Japanese only games. I doubt there would be many Japanese locals buying an American console instead of their beloved Japanese made consoles from Sony and Nintendo?