2 million PS5 consoles have been sold in Japan

In Japan, the PlayStation 5 successfully sells over 2 million units, which is a significant milestone, but it misses the mark of its successors.

Sony has reached a significant milestone in its home country, selling 2 million PS5s. While this is a great achievement, multiple issues have slowed PS5 console sales since their release.

Sony has shipped over 20 million PS5s around the world as of now, though some players are still having difficulty finding one for sale. The PS5 has seen success, but not as quickly as its predecessors, due to a combination of console scalping, parts shortages, and COVID-19 pandemic restrictions.

According to Famitsu, as of October 23, the PS5 had officially sold 2 million units in Japan. Less than 300,000 of those consoles were digital editions, indicating that Japanese gamers still prefer physical media to play their games on. While two million units sold is a significant achievement, the PS5 has lagged behind its predecessors in terms of achieving that goal, with the PS4 selling that many in 90 weeks, the PS3 in 73 weeks, and the PS5 taking 101 weeks.

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Sony's console line has always sold well in Japan, and the PS5 is no exception, but scarcity has made it difficult to obtain one. Scalping is a problem all over the world, and many stores in Japan still require prospective buyers to enter a lottery in order to purchase the system. While PS5 shipments and manufacturing have increased, many people in Japan are likely still looking for the latest console but haven't been able to find one.

Having said that, the Nintendo Switch remains a dominant force in Japan for this console generation, selling over 5 million units in Japan alone in 2021, and now having sold 25 million units in the country overall. Part of this dominance can be attributed to the Switch gaining traction prior to the pandemic, with many players turning to the relatively inexpensive system for entertainment during global lockdowns.

Mobile gaming has grown in popularity in Japan as phones have become more powerful and high-quality games for mobile devices have become more plentiful. Playing games on a phone or Nintendo Switch while traveling to and from work or school is a popular choice in Japan, whereas a console that can only be used at home may see slightly less playtime. It will take some time to see if the PS5 can follow in the footsteps of its predecessors in Japan, but regardless of the outcome, there is no doubt that the PS5 was released under unusual circumstances, with the COVID-19 pandemic already in full swing when it hit store shelves.

Source: Famitsu, VGC ,Gamerant