Japanese gamers Archives

AppWizard

August 15, 2025

New report suggests that there are 3 million fewer PC gamers in Japan than 10 years ago, despite the market having at least tripled in size

Japan's gaming market is experiencing unprecedented growth, with the overall market projected to reach 2,396.1 billion yen in 2024, up from 2,317.6 billion yen in 2023. The PC gaming market is estimated at 265.3 billion yen for 2024. The number of overall gamers in Japan is 54.753 million in 2024, an increase from 48.55 million in 2014. However, the number of PC gamers is 14.52 million in 2024, down from 17.49 million in 2014, despite the PC gaming sector tripling in size from 2020 to 2024 based on software sales. Prices for pre-built PCs in Japan have increased by 40% since 2019, with graphics card prices rising over 300%. There is a noted decline in the popularity of inexpensive and free browser games as mobile gaming gains traction.

AppWizard

August 14, 2025

Japan’s PC gaming population has decreased by 3 million in the past decade, studies suggest

The Famitsu Game Hakusho 2025 report indicates that the Japanese gaming market grew by 3.4% from 2023 to 2024, reaching 2,396 billion yen. The domestic gamer population has decreased to 54.7 million from 55.5 million the previous year. Mobile gaming leads with 42.77 million users, followed by console gamers at 29.51 million, and PC gamers at 14.52 million. Although active PC gamers increased slightly from 14.45 million to 14.52 million in 2024, this number is down from 17.49 million in 2015. Console users rose from 26.12 million to 29.51 million, and mobile users increased from 14.11 million to 42.77 million over the same period. The PC gaming population has not surpassed 17.49 million since 2015, and hardware pricing has significantly increased, with a 40% rise in pre-built desktop PC prices over six years. JEITA reported a decline in domestic PC shipments, with 6.667 million units sold in 2023, marking a 2.9% decrease and the lowest sales since 2007. The global PC gaming landscape is shifting towards gacha and free-to-play games, leading players to prefer mobile devices.

AppWizard

March 3, 2025

PC gaming shows strong popularity in Japan in 2024 market survey, despite enduring dominance of Nintendo Switch

In 2024, an independent survey conducted by HIKE revealed the spending habits and preferences of 1,000 Japanese gamers, categorized into three groups: light users (54%), medium users (36%), and core users (10%). The Nintendo Switch was the most favored gaming device, chosen by 41.2% of light users and 23.6% of core users, although this represented a slight decline from 2022. PC gaming saw increased popularity, becoming the first choice for 19.6% of light users, 16.4% of medium users, and 19.0% of core users, up from 2023 figures. The PlayStation 4 was selected by 19.8% of light users and 19.6% of medium users, while the PS5 was preferred by 20.1% of core users but only 13.0% of light users.