The Xbox Series X/S family of consoles has reportedly outsold the total number of Xbox One units by about three times in Japan. This may not be a surprise to some keeping up to date with sales reports as Xbox sales surpassed PlayStation 5 on certain weeks during May in the region, even if that is partly due to Sony lagging behind system production.Historically Xbox has lagged behind PlayStation in Japan, with the latter far outselling the former at the outset of the current console generation. Still, the latest numbers to have come out show an uptake in popularity for the brand, potentially leading to greater competitiveness from Sony to keep its lead.Industry analyst MauroNL reported on Twitter that combined sales for the Xbox Series X/S in Japan have amounted to 400,000 units, with 227,000 being for the Series S and 173,000 for the Series X. He points out that while this is about three times more than the 140,000 units the Xbox One sold over its lifetime, Microsoft's current systems are still far behind the Xbox 360 since it sold 1.61 million during its generation.
If this momentum keeps up, it could potentially mean an optimistic future for the Xbox brand in Japan. Microsoft has the potential for a strong 2023 when it comes to expanding its offering on Game Pass and releasing exclusives. If it lives up to said potential, it could lead to a stronger market share in Japan with consumers finding more reasons to purchase a Series X or Series S. This is especially true for the Series S because it offers a chance to go into the next generation for a more affordable price and is significantly smaller than the PlayStation 5 or the Series X.
Another factor to consider is the rising cost of the consoles in various countries, with the latest price hikes in India making the Series S close in price to the PlayStation 5 in the United States. If a similar increase in price happens in Japan, this could risk slowing Xbox sales in the country as consumers who would have bought the system at its original price now might be turned off by the larger price.
Despite Microsoft admitting that Sony has more exclusives, having the most affordable current generation system on the market and a deal as enticing as Game Pass already made the Series X/S more successful than the previous generation. Should consumers in Japan continue to purchase Xbox systems, it will give more of a foothold for the brand, allowing it to be viewed as a genuine competitor in the country.