Microsoft Hits the 1.5 Million Mark in Japan

O.K., not quite infinity billion. It took them a while but Microsoft has finally been able to push 1.5 million consoles in Japan. Japanese site Wazap was the first to note this milestone. Microsoft debuted the 360 in Japan in 2005 and took just over three years to hit a million units sold. From 2009 to today, they were able to get another 500,000 into Japanese homes.

This is an impressive feat for Microsoft who has been plagued with troubles getting a foothold in the Japanese market. What does it mean for Microsoft? Well, it shows that even though they are in last in console sales for Japan, they have some backing by the Japanese consumer and that there is still some interest in what the Xbox 360 might have to offer.

What caused the increased console sales? Beats me. Last year Microsoft made a big push at the Tokyo Game Show to make themselves appeal more to Japanese customers by partnering up with Japanese developers to make games that will target the land of the rising sun. These partnerships might have fueled the increase since they announced some exclusive Kinect titles, such as a new Steel Battalion game. Regardless of the reason, Microsoft is still a relevant force in Japan that has slowly but surely picked up speed in the market.