Sony announced a new, cheaper edition of the PlayStation 5 Digital Edition exclusively for the Japanese market during its State of Play showcase, marking the first region-locked PlayStation console since the PS2. This model is restricted to Japanese language only and is compatible solely with Japanese PlayStation Network accounts, ensuring it cannot be easily imported or used internationally to prevent grey market reselling. Priced at ¥55,000 (approximately $350 to $357 USD), it represents a significant discount of about ¥17,980 to ¥18,000 compared to the standard PS5 Digital Edition in Japan, which retails for around ¥72,980 to ¥73,000—making this new version nearly 25% cheaper and more affordable for local consumers amid rising inflation and the depreciating yen. The console is set to launch on November 21, 2025, just over a week after the announcement, and is available for pre-order through Sony’s Japanese online store and select retailers in the country.
This strategic move by Sony Interactive Entertainment Japan Asia aims to stimulate sluggish PS5 sales in its home market, where the console has faced stiff competition from Nintendo’s Switch 2; as of September 2025, the Switch 2 had outsold the PS5 in Japan year-to-date with 9.24 million units compared to the PS5’s 8.21 million. The pricing mirrors Nintendo’s own approach with a cheaper, Japanese-language-only Switch 2 model that’s about $130 less than the global version, helping to capture domestic demand without impacting international pricing. Broader economic pressures, including unpredictable U.S. tariff policies on electronics imports, have also played a role; earlier in 2025, Sony raised PS5 prices globally by $50 in the U.S. (with the Digital Edition now at $449.99 and the Pro at $749.99) following hikes in Europe, the U.K., Australia, and New Zealand, but this Japan-specific edition allows the company to sidestep those issues and focus on boosting local adoption.
Despite these challenges, the PS5 has achieved strong global success, with over 84 million units sold worldwide since its November 2020 launch as of September 30, 2025, underscoring Sony’s ongoing commitment to the platform even as it tailors offerings to specific regions. Japanese gamers appear largely unbothered by the language and region restrictions, viewing the model as a practical, budget-friendly option to access the full PS5 library without the premium cost of imported units.
Source: PlayStation.Blog
