The Japanese console market has gone down by 16%

The Japanese games console market dipped 16 percent last year, according to a report by the country’s Computer Entertainment Supplier’s Association. According to CESA, as reported by analyst Serkan Toto, the market for console gaming (hardware and software combined) in Japan in 2013 reached $4 billion, down from $4.8 billion in 2012. Console hardware sales in 2013 were $1.5 billion, down from $1.9 billion the year before. In contrast, Japanese consumers are continuing their love affair with mobile games. According to CESA, which organizes the annual Tokyo Games Show, Japan’s market for smartphone games reached $3.5 billion in 2013. CESA’s console stats include mobile devices like Nintendo DS, which holds a 47 percent market share and PlayStation Vita (12 percent). PlayStation 4 launched in Japan in early 2014, with Xbox One arriving in September.