Excuse me while I cut through the justifications, and go right to the underlying truth. Nintendo is almost certainly supply constrained at the moment. They don't have enough controllers to provide all regions with stand alone retail models. They obviously have only enough to supply Japan, and to probably honor their warranties. Other markets will probably get them once Nintendo has enough to supply them as well.
That all said it is most definitely not a good thing. It will have a negative impact on customer service, and thus it will have a negative impact on the products image. When people wait they bitch. Nobody wants to wait for six to ten days to be able to use their console. It is as simple as that. Especially when the unit may not be warrantied. People don't bitch about having to replace things they broke, but they bitch a lot if they have to go through hoops to buy a replacement.
You gotta remember warranties aren't like insurance. They are a promise that the device will work as long as it is used and maintained properly. Nintendo isn't going to give you a free controller if you drop something heavy on yours, or one of your kids dropped yours in a full bath tub. Most controllers aren't replaced, because they were found to be defective. People buy new controllers to replace ones they broke.
Anyway expect to hear some bitching online in a couple months. Some guys dog is going to eat his, and he will bawl all about how much it costs, and how long it takes. I am not saying it will be a big public relations disaster. I am just saying it is going to be a bit of a blemish on the product.
