The main thing to look out for would still be the hardware sales numbers, the software sales for Vita seem to paint an incomplete picture of how the Vita performed (assuming that VGC doesn't take note of digital sales).

But looking at the fact that the 3DS (at least for the software) is still as thriving as ever, I don't think all of these show that the Vita's having a really good time in Japan now.

Really came as a surprise to me.

I agree, though as long as retailers sell a reasonable amount of software I don't see them refusing to sell the Vita.  Actually, that's probably why Sony hasn't gone down to cut-throat prices on downloadable games--if you could get Uncharted for $20 downloadable instead of $50 at a store, it would kill retail sales to the point whre NONE of them would sell the system.

i think the psvita will struggle with sales just like the 3ds did, in japan until the games ppl really want for it are released like tales of innocence r. the early part of 2012 for the 3ds will destroy the psvita in sales and must have games. i think the true test for the psvita and 3ds fight wont begin until fall/winter next year to be honest. after that the battlefield should be alot clearer, until then we must wait and see what software is out by then.

Fair point, as usual sir!  It's worth noting, though, that even though shooters aren't big over there, Uncharted is still one of the more popular ones.  Those were just two examples, you could also count stuff like Marvel vs Capcom and a few others.  You're right, though, I forgot the 3DS had somewhat better launch titles in Japan than over here.  I'm still waiting for my Layton goodness :( .

Also another point to take into consideration: The Vita has launched with more games than most other systems do.  Assuming the average person buys just one game with their system, initial sales would have been spread out more evenly among them and thus lowered the possible sales for any individual game.

Are people really surprised? I mean the Vita has lots of games at launch but none of them are must-have. Not even Uncharted Golden Abyss. What the Vita needs is a killer app, the PSPs killer app was Monster Hunter which is now on 3DS. Sony is in real trouble and getting Vita out there is going to be extremely difficult. Vita needs some big JRPGs to succeed.

That's a bad sign. A western game was the 2nd best-selling game for Vita on launch! Its not like the sales numbers were high either.
What is Sony thinking? If you want to Vita to succeed you need some AAA Japanese games.

Ummm, wifi Vita sold out, higher capacity memory cards sold out, digital sales numbers? When Sony says digital sales are bad, then we can start worrying (Which may never happen, and we'll never get digital numbers for games in). Selling almost 400k of 500k shipment isn't bad for hardware numbers.

if Vita hardware not selling well means 3DS killer software and much cheaper price tag really totally defeat Vita for this holiday...
but if Vita hardware selling well means most users buying games from PSN since its much cheaper that's why its retail software sales are so low...

Sony Worldwide is doing OK, dont know what Sony Japan is doing. How can they not nailed Monster Hunter? They should pay loads of gold to Capcom to keep the game, and look what happens to The Last Guardian Fiasco. Sigh.

But Japanese customers tend to retail, or at least that's how i interpreted the poor performance of the PSP Go over there