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Sony Adopts a Regional Strategy for PS5
In most technology markets, hardware prices tend to decrease over time as manufacturing processes improve. Yet in gaming, the opposite trend has emerged. Rising inflation, supply chain disruptions, and shifting regulations have kept console prices at an all-time high.
Now, it appears that platform holders are adjusting differently. Following Nintendo’s region-locked Switch 2 Japan Edition, Sony has announced a similar move with a Japan-exclusive PlayStation 5 Digital Edition.
A Japan-Only PS5 with Regional Restrictions
Revealed during State of Play Japan, the new PS5 model will only support the Japanese system language and can be linked solely to PlayStation Network accounts registered in Japan.
This design makes the system strictly regional, a rarity in the modern gaming era where global hardware compatibility has become the norm.
The Big Appeal: A Lower Price
Sony confirmed that the Japan-exclusive PS5 Digital Edition will retail for ¥55,000 (tax included) or around US$360, which is approximately ¥17,980/US$150 cheaper than the global model.
The console’s lower cost positions it competitively against Nintendo’s region-locked Switch 2, priced only slightly higher at around ¥60,000/US$390. This pricing move places both companies in direct competition for Japan’s mainstream market as the holiday season approaches.
The Japan-only PS5 will officially launch on November 21, 2025.
A Response to Market Pressure
The high price of the PlayStation 5 has been a point of contention since launch. Developers and publishers have expressed concern about its impact on software sales, with Capcom previously citing the system’s cost as one reason Monster Hunter Wilds underperformed in Japan.
With this regional model, Sony appears to be responding directly to local consumer expectations. The company may also be testing whether region-locked, lower-cost hardware can thrive in a global market increasingly dominated by digital ecosystems.
If successful, it could signal a new pricing and distribution approach for Sony’s future consoles.
