Ran across this article today - sounds rather bizarre to me! Almost like Nintendo is being paid to divert some shipments to the country to boost tourism! (go on holiday, and if you are lucky - buy a Wii?).

If true - wouldn't this imply that the Wii is *not* easily available in the major cities?

Wii Hunters Flock to Japanese Countryside

BLOG - Tourists from Taiwan and Hong Kong are flocking to the Japanese countryside in desperate bids to pick up Wii consoles, a report claims.

While the Wii has become a global phenomenon, selling more than 10 million units globally since launching at the end of 2006, Japan is currently the only Asian country in which the sought after console can be purchased.   Consumers reportedly believe it is more likely that they will manage to secure themselves a coveted Wii console outside of Japan’s major cities, leading to an influx of tourists in countryside areas such as Tohoku, which is perceived to be a Wii hotspot.   The feelings about this turn of events are seemingly mixed. Cynics have suggested that Wii stock is being unevenly distributed in a bid to boost the tourism industry in Japan’s countryside areas, something that is appealing to local businesses, while locals have expressed their dismay at the description of their home-towns as inaka (back-country).   How far you you travel for a Wii?

Then again - its only a blog, so who knows how reliable this is :P

I have yet to see any actual marketing for Halo 3 on the TV or anywhere. Only on ads on the Internet.

Leo-J is crying and is thinking WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH THIS WORLD.

^Or I am thinking that. Sounds strange COME TO TOKYO AND BUY A WII, but okay I think (Serious don't know what to think about this).

Leo-J, did you take a vow of silence after the FFVII remake bet?

How will he respond?

 Sometimes you don't need words to say what you want.

So on one hand we have a campaign where you can find the thing everywhere -- you can get Halo 3 almost anywhere including select 7-11 convenience stores! To another that encourages people to travel far and wide to find one -- Wiis is rural places. I guess that leaves Sony in the middle. You can find them most normal places but they're a bit dusty. ;)

if Japan is actually doing that, then we have to praise the Japan government. Moving people around also moves money around. And money moving around is good for economy. Exploit everything possible to improve your economy.