It has been abundantly clear for a while now that the PS5 is going to be facing supply shortages at launch, with the console selling at a rapid pace in all regions of the world and many prospective users being unable to get a pre-order in for launch. That’s true in Japan as well, where Sony says the console’s pre-order supply has completely sold out.
“Due to the high interest and many orders from users, the release date is sold out by the reserved amount,” Sony writes in an update on the PlayStation blog.
Sony goes on to say that owing to continuing concerns regarding the coronavirus pandemic, they will not be holding any launch events or selling the PS5 in stores on launch day, in order to ensure the safety of all concerned.
“Since there are still concerns about the spread of the coronavirus, we do not plan to hold events or sell PS5 at stores on the day of its release in order to ensure the safety of customers, retailers, and staff,” the company writes. “We apologize for any inconvenience caused to those who wish to purchase PS5. For customers who purchased PS5 by advance reservation, please check the receiving method in advance and contact the store where you made the reservation for details.”
Furthermore, Sony has also said that it will not be taking any more pre-orders for the console in Japan in the lead up to its launch, though more consoles will, of course, become available for purchase after its release.
“On the day of the release of PS5, we have temporarily closed the reservation because we have reached the planned number of reservations, but we expect to continue shipping PS5 in the future,” says Sony.
Japan is one of several regions where the PS5 is launching on November 12, with the rest of the world receiving the console on November 19.
Sony has said that it hopes to sell 7.6 million PS5 consoles by the end of the current fiscal year, with a long-term view to exceed 100 million lifetimes sales. Read more about that through here.