According to industry insiders, PlayStation’s new chief, Hideaki Nishino, is reportedly dissatisfied with the brand’s current standing in Japan. To reinvigorate domestic sales, he has authorized the launch of a more affordable PlayStation 5 model equipped with a language lock.
Under its former leadership, Sony appeared to accept its secondary position in its home market, rarely making aggressive moves to challenge Nintendo’s dominance. Nishino has shifted this approach, rolling out the revised hardware on November 21.
The price of the PS5 Digital Edition has been slashed from ¥72,980 (roughly $473) to ¥55,000 (~$350), effectively returning the console to its price point before the sharp increases seen earlier in 2024.
Despite these efforts, the impact has been marginal, especially as the shadow of the upcoming Switch 2 looms large. Data from Famitsu shows that in the first two weeks following the launch, the new model sold 36,983 and 35,786 units respectively—an improvement over previous months, but short-lived. The latest weekly report indicates sales have already dipped to 18,912 units, trailing behind the 21,574 units sold during the same period last year.
Overall, PS5 sales in Japan remain largely stagnant despite the significant price reduction. While the region-specific model may have prevented a steeper decline, Sony is still struggling to gain meaningful ground.
The situation is further complicated by the fact that major Japanese titles—including Resident Evil Requiem, Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade, and Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties—are now being optimized for the Switch 2. The PS5’s stationary nature and the absence of exclusive franchises with the cultural impact of Mario or Pokémon continue to hinder its mass-market appeal.
Although Nishino is expected to continue his campaign to turn the tide, one thing is certain: high pricing is far from the only hurdle PlayStation faces in the Japanese market.
Source: iXBT.games