From VGChartz:

In spite of the somewhat disappointing UK numbers, ZELDA SKYWARD SWORD still seems to be on track to be a holiday hit.  This just in from the folks at NeoGAF, regarding its Japanese release:

"First day impressions for Wednesday releases are positive from retailers. Many games perform well. Zelda and 7th Dragon 2020 are the top sellers."

So no need to worry, folks.  ZELDA SKYWARD SWORD is doing just fine.

In all fairness, I don't think we'll know how much it actually sold until the charts come out, but for now, this is reassuring news of Zelda having its staying power even in a country where it is less popular (Japan). So whoever claimed SS bombed in Japan too will probably have to think again.

Zelda has always been an America thing, surprised that japan numbers are pretty good. which is weird, you'd think Japan would love this game more than america due to it's japnese type style.

I just hope it surpasses Twilight Princess. SS is definitively not casual friendly regarding it's puzzles though.

Good to hear!

I expect aroudn 180K from Japan like I predicted in the prediction thread.

Well, ZELDA has finally debuted in Japan, with an opening week of 165k total at the #1 spot. Under the circumstances, this is pretty good numbers for ZELDA. It may not be huge, but it's nowhere near bad. It's still a success, no need to call it a failure.

This is just damage control, no need for threads like this one, at all.

You know Zelda is going to perform well in the long run.

it's only a preview though so we don't know yet for sure

Of course; it will still sell solidly.  Will it be a million seller?  Probably not, but it's definitely nowhere near a failure.  Whether it will outsell TP remains to be seen, but for now, this is a pretty good opening.  It could have been a whole lot worse.  It's on par with the OoT3D debut though only marginally better than TP.  All things considered, though, not bad at all.  Even ZELDA DUNGEON says the number is pretty solid.