Sony has officially unveiled a Japanese-language exclusive PlayStation 5 Digital Edition, specifically designed for the Japanese market. Announced during its State of Play Japan broadcast, this new model features an 825GB capacity and is priced at 55,000 yen, which is approximately $350. Scheduled for release on November 21, 2025, this offering aligns with Sony’s ongoing strategy to enhance the PlayStation brand’s presence in Japan.
This launch mirrors a recent move by Nintendo, which introduced a Japanese-language only Switch 2 model at a reduced price in the region earlier this year. Currently, the standard PS5 with a disc drive retails for $549.99 in the United States, while the PS5 Digital Edition is available for $499.99. Additionally, the recently released PS5 Pro is priced at $749.99. All these models saw a price increase in the U.S. back in August.
The introduction of a more affordable PS5 variant in Japan is seen as a crucial step for Sony in its efforts to boost sales figures and expand the console’s userbase. Following the recent announcement, Sony reported that the PS5 has sold 84.2 million units worldwide by its five-year milestone, with 3.9 million units sold in the three months leading to September 30. While this figure reflects impressive sales, it puts the PS5 slightly behind the PS4, which achieved over 86.1 million units sold at the same five-year mark.
In addition to the new cheaper PS5 model, Sony debuted other exciting hardware during the State of Play Japan event. Notably, the company introduced a 27-inch PlayStation Monitor equipped with Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) support and a charging hook for the DualSense controller. Also highlighted was the announcement of the first downloadable content for FromSoftware’s acclaimed title, Elden Ring, called Nightreign.
This string of announcements demonstrates Sony’s commitment to innovating within the gaming landscape and addressing the needs of its regional markets, while also leveraging successful strategies from competitors.