They need Japan to not only win WW but to gain developers support WW. As much as some people want to cut off Japan and just worry about EU and NA in reality SONY, MS and NINTENDO knows that without Japan their system will fail horrible.

Take this gen for example, if MS did not enter the XBOX360 into the Japan market the lead between them and SONY would be 725,000 units less, numbers like that could determine market share and positions. (1st, 2nd, and 3rd).

There WAS a slim chance.  I wouldn't call it slim anymore.

necro *cough*

@domicinator

your basing that on the sales of a week where it got a price drop

ZOMGZ....there was a spike in sales with a price drop!

I'm not bashing on the sales of anything.  Do you honestly think sales look brighter for the PS3 this holiday season than the 360?  Really?  Did you happen to hear about that $700 billion government bailout recently?  Do you really think this economy is going to support the $400 PS3 this holiday season when parents (the prime console buyers) are this worried about their mortgages and gas bills?  Or do you think they're more likely to look in the other rows at the two less expensive consoles?  

I think it's the second option.  This price cut for the 360 is a PERMANENT price cut, not a clearance sale.  When the holiday shopping season really kicks in, we are going to truly see how well that price cut worked.  The initial sales boost was from the people who knew about the cut and were waiting for it.  Holiday shoppers have barely even hit the stores yet, and I'd be willing to bet most parents don't check the gaming websites every day to follow up on the latest price cut rumors.  They're going to go to the store and look at price tags.  And they will make their decision at that point.

of course Japan needs the 360, especially during the winter season because its cold. They need to warm up and the 360 is cheap.

with positive sales trend in Japan, the answer is yes, even with shortages they still manages to outsell PS3 for > 3 week.

this week number will be interesting, if this week > PS3 with 360 no games, then we will be sure 360 > ps3 from now to Dec 2008, of course if there is no shoratge probelm.

If they want to keep me as a customer, then they need Japan.