The way some people blame the Japanese public for not buying into Xbox always surprises me. You always hear this line about how it's because Microsoft isn't a Japanese company, yet western culture and products are all over Japan. For cat's sake, they have over 1,000 KFC restaurants there, and they won't buy anything from America? Yeah, okay.
Occam's Razor would suggest that the Japanese buy other systems over an Xbox because those other systems have far and away more Japanese games. It's really as simple as that. For comparison's sake, imagine how the PS3 would have done in the west if most western games were only on the Xbox. Yes, Microsoft buys a few exclusives here and there but that's a drop in the bucket.
The fact is, the Japanese have had little reason to buy an Xbox, not unless they'd tried Halo or Gears somewhere and really, really liked it, or they had enough disposable income (and space) to buy another console for some of the niche exclusives.
If you look at it logically, it's impossible to blame Japanese consumers for making the most sensible choice.
Still, I know some people are just bitter and are looking for some place to direct their negative feelings. If that's the case, carry on.
