PS5 Sales Collapse in Japan as Sony Readies Overdue Rescue Plan

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Sony’s PlayStation 5, which is specifically set up for the Japanese language, is now available in Japan, and its release comes at a perfect time.

Recent sales figures from Famitsu in Japan show the console sold only 5,855 units last week. Although sales probably dipped as people waited for the new, cheaper version, that number is dramatically lower than the 101,549 units sold by the Switch 2 during the same week.

Just a heads-up for anyone who didn’t hear: the new PlayStation 5 being released in Japan will be region-locked to Japanese language and PlayStation Network accounts. This is being done to prevent the consoles from being resold in other countries, like China.

Sony’s new PlayStation console is struggling, especially compared to Nintendo’s Switch, because of rising manufacturing costs and the declining value of the Japanese yen.

Reports suggest that PlayStation’s previous leadership didn’t prioritize Japan, but the new CEO, Hideaki Nishino, who is Japanese himself, is strongly focused on strengthening PlayStation’s presence there.

Although Sony probably won’t overtake Nintendo in Japan, they’re hoping this new, more affordable console – now priced at around $350, down from $473 – will boost sales and regain some traction.

We should get the first few days of sales for this new model in next week’s Famitsu.

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2025-11-21 09:06