Xbox 360 in Japan: Critical mass achieved?

[NJ5]

This bears repeating. A Japanese gamer (nickname maguro) has posted the following in the news section as a comment:

"Hardware improvements of the Value Pack version of 360 is a significant reason of the 360 boost. Don't miss the factor though AC6 release was obviously effective. The VP hardware has 3 appealing point for we Japanese gamers that complained of the old 360 hardware.

(1) Additional heatsink to prevent RRoD
(2) HDMI output
(3) Low-power and low-thermal radiation shrinked CPU (Falcon)

Japanese gamers strongly doubted and complained about the hardware quality of 360, especially about DVD drive defects and thermal defects. And MS support is considered as irresponsible for hardware defects (Japanese didn't forget the XBOX1 DVD drive problem). So considerable number of them (including me) didn't buy 360 even if they want to play some 360-only titles.

But since the 3-years RRoD warranty and the hardware improvements, 360 is being considered as reasonably safe to buy by Japanese. But due to the sudden demand, the VP is now sold out in many major shops. And it is rumored that the VP is out of stock in MS Japan until late Nov. Some Japanese call 1 Nov 2007 "second launch of XBOX 360."

Though above opinion is not based on verifiable statistics, it is commonly and repeatedly said in Japanese gamer communities. I want to let foreign gamers know why XBOX 360 is not sold well in Japan. Though one aspect was explained well by "The Xbox 360 And Japanese Nationalism", the other reason (Japanese are avoiding 360 due to its low hardware quality) seems not known well. Though the VP hardware improvement resolved some complaints in Japan, some others such as "extremely loud acoustic noise" and "unbelievably huge AC adapter" are still remaining. 360 will get another boosts in Japan if MS improved such hardware qualities."

If this guy turns out to be right, the 360 could gain some much needed momentum in Japan.