Sony has introduced a new requirement for customers in Japan seeking to purchase the PlayStation 5 Pro via its official store. Applicants must demonstrate at least 60 hours of gameplay on a PlayStation 4 or PlayStation 5 console recorded between September 27, 2024, and September 27, 2026. The account used for the application must be registered in Japan.
The initiative aims to prevent scalpers from depleting console stock. If the number of applicants exceeds the available supply, the company will select buyers through a lottery system. Each account is limited to a single purchase of the 2TB console, which is priced at ¥137 980. Freshly created accounts are ineligible for the application process.
The application window closes on October 7, with notifications for selected winners scheduled to begin on October 26. Successful applicants must finalize their purchases by November 2. Sony has explicitly stated that it will cancel any orders suspected of being placed by resellers, and the company prohibits the use of package forwarding services.
This 60-hour threshold is double the requirement previously set for the PlayStation 5 Pro 30th Anniversary Edition. The company is implementing these stricter measures as it faces ongoing challenges with console availability in the Japanese market. Meanwhile, Sony shares have declined by nearly 10% throughout the current year.
