Xbox One Japan Release Date This Fall: Will The Launch Give Microsoft The Edge Over Sony?

Microsoft’s Xbox One will become available in Japan this September. The next-gen console will hit the Japanese market 10 months after its launch in the U.S. on November 22, 2013 and around seven months after Sony’s PlayStation 4 reached Japanese consumers.

Redmond, Wash.-based Microsoft hasn’t revealed the console’s price yet.

Xbox One competitor the PlayStation 4 launched in Japan on Feb. 22, but the gaming-oriented console was doing just fine before it even became available to Japanese consumers.

In mid-February, Sony revealed it sold more than 5.3 million PS4s as of Feb. 8 since hitting shelves in North American last November. During its first 24 hours of availability, the system sold 1 million units. In two weeks, 2.1 million PS4s had flown off shelves in North America.

“I am thrilled that so many customers around the globe have continued to select PS4 as the best place to play throughout and beyond the holiday season,” group CEO Andrew House said in a statement in February.

“We are delighted that according to the NPD Group’s latest data, PS4 was January’s top-selling console in the United States. The PS4 system’s momentum just keeps growing stronger, and we are extremely grateful for the continued passion and support of PlayStation fans. Feb. 22 sees the launch of PS4 in Japan, and I’m looking forward to Japanese fans sharing the excitement of the deep social capabilities and entertainment experiences only possible on PS4.”

So far, Sony appears to be winning the console war. PlayStation 4 sales have surpassed 7 million units worldwide as of April 6, according to a report on the official PlayStation blog.

“On behalf of the entire global team at PlayStation, I want to thank you for your unprecedented support and for making PS4 your next-generation console of choice,” said social media director Sid Shuman. “We couldn’t have done this without you! And please keep the feedback coming: we are listening.”

PS4 software sales have topped out at more than 20.5 million units between retailers and the PlayStation store as of April 13.

The Xbox One launched in 13 countries on Nov. 22. Microsoft Chief Marketing and Strategy Office Yusuf Mehdi also made an announcement during January regarding the details of Xbox One sales, saying the console sold 3 million units by the end of December 2013.

Last week, the Redmond, Wash.-based media giant revealed that Respawn’s first-person shooter “Titanfall” was the highest-selling title in March. The game’s release date was March 11. The Xbox One also sold more than 300,000 units last month, while the Xbox 360 moved 111,000 consoles from shelves.

“Today, we congratulate our friends at Respawn Entertainment, and Electronic Arts, as ‘Titanfall’ for Xbox One was named the number one selling game in March, according to NPD Group figures released today,” said Mehdi on the Xbox blog April 17. Mehdi also stated 5 million Xbox Ones had been sold-in to retailers since the console’s launch last year. “The new generation is off to a strong start, with global Xbox One sales outpacing Xbox 360 by more than 60 percent at the same point in time, a true testament to your love of console gaming,” he added.

How do the consoles differ? Sony is touting its next-gen console as a gamer-oriented device, unlike, the Xbox One, which is being marketed as more of an all-encompassing entertainment center.

Do you think the Xbox One's Japan launch this fall will help Microsoft keep up with Sony? Comment below.