Opinions anyone?  This is probably the understatement of the year, but the Japanese market seems to pull in only a fraction of the hardware sales that other parts of the world produce.  This is really surprising to me--it goes without saying that the Wii sells well, the 360 has proven that it will stand its ground against the competition, and we are finally having a legitimate "year of the PS3", so why aren't sales in general stronger in Japan?  They're not even buying that many Wiis!

The whole situation is leading me to believe that Japan is not a major player in the sales war anymore, and that troubles me.  I want Japanese influence to remain in video games and I want developers to cater to that audience so that I can play those games too.  I can see why they're not buying as many Wiis anymore, and it goes without saying that they're not going to buy that many 360s either.  What really surprises me is the lack of PS3 sales.  Even I am finding myself turning more and more of my gaming time over to the PS3 these days---the game library is now irresistable and if you don't want to play some of those PS3 exclusives that are coming out, you're simply in denial.

So what's going on in Japan?  Have they lost interest in gaming?  

Japan is still relevant, It's just below Americas and Europe. They're keeping the PSP alive among other things. Without Japan the Ps3 would be ~9 mil behind the 360.

They buy a crapload of handhelds. Also, weird PS3 statement at the end, I don't think there's anything wrong with people not wanting a PS3 or any of the systems.

Considering that over 15 Million console sales have come from Japan so far, i would say it's still deemed as a "factor".

Plus Sony are dominating Microsoft in Japan. So it's all good.

And Japan is bringing us Final Fantasy 7: Remake.

Look at the handheld sales... the PSP pretty much stands, thanks for Japanese support. There are almost 45 million handhelds and over 15 million consoles sold this gen in Japan alone, so no, they are far from irrelevant IMO...

Japan is like a totally different world, there are really too many factors to consider and reasons why Japan is the way it is.

Its a factor, but by next generation instead of having to win in Japan to win a generation, you can not sell a single console in Japan and still win a console generation. The other areas of the world are growing and Japan is becoming increasingly irrelevant. If not for Nintendo's success Japan would already be irrelevant.

in term of hardware it is still relevant

in term of game, well, it depends of the game

what is sure, is that japan is less important than before

It's can't be that irresistable because I still don't want one. At least not for $300.

Yea.

And I know this sounds trollish or rude or biased, but I think these devs waste time making PSP games. I know that not everyone can afford to make console games....but Japan is the only place where the system is really viable to support. I have heard them complain that they aren't making games on a global level, causing J-games to decline.