It appears there may be a misunderstanding in the query, as the search results indicate that Sony's PlayStation generally outperforms Microsoft's Xbox in the Japanese market47. However, the Xbox Series X/S has seen some relative success compared to previous Xbox consoles25.
Factors that have contributed to the Xbox Series X/S's relative success in Japan include:
Game Pass: The subscription service with access to many games is a significant bargain for Japanese users, given the generally high prices of console games in Japan2. The availability of Japanese content, such as Final Fantasy, NieR, Dragon Quest, and Kingdom Hearts, on Game Pass has also helped sales2.
Engaging with Japanese gamers: Microsoft has improved its messaging and activities at events like the Tokyo Game Show and promised a better selection of Japanese-made games2.
Console design: The Xbox Series X and, particularly, the Series S may be better suited to the smaller living spaces in Japan compared to earlier Xbox consoles2.
Addressing past shortcomings: Microsoft took its past failures in Japan to heart when developing the Xbox 360, sending design teams to Japan to gather feedback from Japanese gamers3. They also worked to secure Japanese titles3.
Supply levels: A global chip shortage has allowed Microsoft to sometimes match or exceed Sony's PlayStation 5 stock levels in Japan5.
Despite these factors, the PlayStation 5 has still outsold the Xbox Series X in Japan by a significant margin4. In November 2024, the PlayStation 5 had sold approximately 5.27 million units, while the Xbox Series X had sold around 310,000 units4. In February 2023, Microsoft stated that PlayStation holds 96% of the market share in Japan, compared to Xbox's 4%17.