In a press conference today, Microsoft Japan President and CEO Yasuyuki Higuchi confirmed that Japan would not be getting the Xbox One this year.
When pressed for details, Higuchi explained that Japan is a "Tier 2 country". The console's launch begins in "Tier 1" countries like the US, with "Tier 2" countries like Japan receiving the console. Higuchi explains the Japan release won't be that far from the US.
All things considered, this is actually good news for Xbox fans in Japan. In the original Xbox One Reveal event, Japan was not even mentioned as a supported region. Team Xbox explained soon after that the system would have region locking, to be enforced using IP checks. A map released by Microsoft also showed Japan was not going to get support.
So, coming off of Xbox One taking back its used games DRM and online check-in system, this is definitely a marked improvement in policy, but it may be taken the wrong way. Microsoft's VP Haruaki Kayama joked to reporters not to treat the news too negatively, knowing about Xbox One's communication problems worldwide.
Just a few days ago, we wrote about MS Senior Director of Product Management and Planning Albert Penello going to NeoGAF to clarify his statements about Xbox One and PS4 power. A few hours ago, Don Mattrick left Microsoft for Zynga. These events are just feeding to the continuing narrative of negative press about the Xbox One, and will remain a challenge for Microsoft to overcome in the weeks leading to its launch.
