If this report is any indication, WiiU already IS a success in Japan.  Japanese third party support is all but assured now.

http://japandailypress.com/nintendos-wii-u-celebrates-successful-japanese-launch-1019573

All I got from that article is that a whole of 80 people lined up... is there anything more substantial said elsewhere?

Edit: Saw the 300 number....

It'll arguably be much bigger than that, although having MH3 as a bundle and a new 2D MARIO + DQ Beta testing WAS a great asset either way.  I don't think there was any doubt all that was going to turn into a successful Japanese launch.

No, I meant is there anything more substantial?  Like pre-order numbers or something.  300 people standing in for line at 1 store isn't good news.  It's not news at all.  If they said 300 people lined up at every store in Japan, then I'd call that news.

I don't get why people were expecting a bad launch in Japan in the first place. Did they realize Monster Hunter, Dragon Quest X Beta AND Mario were available at launch? Don't you guys remember how Monster Hunter and Mario saved the 3DS in Japan?

I hope so. Nintendo will need Japanese developer support.