Jim Ryan: The Japanese market is still very important to Sony

PlayStation boss Jim Ryan has reinforced Sony’s commitment to the Japanese gaming market in a new interview. Famitsu, where he says it remains an important area for the company. Ryan explains (via Google Translate): “The Japanese market has been and will continue to be one of the most important markets. This is of course because the Japanese market is the second largest in the world, but even more important. Japan is the birthplace of the PlayStation.”

He continues by discussing Japanese games released over the past 30 years on PlayStation hardware, naming the likes of Final Fantasy, Monster Hunter, and Tekken. “SIE has a long history of relationships with developers and publishers, so the Japanese market is very important in that sense as well.”

Regarding Sony’s strategy in Japan, Ryan said: “It’s to push out games that are very compatible with the Japanese market. Elden Ring, Resident Evil 4, Monster Hunter Rise, Wild Hearts, etc. have already been released on PS5. are. These games were created in Japan and released in Japan.” Looking to the future, he then highlights Final Fantasy XVI and Street Fighter 6. “Both of these will be huge and important launches for the world, but Japanese game fans will have an especially high affinity for them.”

Jim Ryan’s comments on the Japanese territory have been criticized since the PlayStation shut down its first-party operations in Japan, effectively shutting down the Japan studio and leaving only Astro’s Playroom developer Team Asobi. is kept around. How do you feel about Ryan’s latest comments? Share your thoughts in the comments below.