Sony requires 60 hours of play history before Japanese buyers can apply for PS5 Pro
Sony Japan will only let PlayStation owners apply to buy a PS5 Pro if they hold a Japan-registered Sony account and have logged at least 60 hours on a PS5 or PS4 between September 2024 and September 2026. Applications open October 7, approved buyers can purchase between October 26 and November 2, and Sony will run a lottery if applications exceed available stock. The move comes as PS5 Pro units remain hard to find in the US amid ongoing component supply shortages Sony expects to last into early 2027.
GoKawiil's interpretation of the reporting above, not reported fact.
Requiring proof of long-term play history and a local account could make it much harder for resellers and overseas visitors to buy units purely to scalp or export them, though Sony has not stated this as its explicit goal. The restrictions highlight how severe global supply constraints have become, with demand reportedly boosted by GTA VI's confirmed PS5 Pro enhancements. Persistent shortages despite a $150 price increase suggest hardware supply, not affordability, is the main bottleneck limiting sales.
- Japanese buyers need a Japan-registered account and 60+ hours of PS5/PS4 play to qualify for a PS5 Pro purchase application.
- Applications open October 7; approved buyers can purchase from October 26 to November 2, with a lottery used if demand exceeds stock.
- Sony expects component supply shortages affecting PS5 Pro availability to persist through early 2027.
Sony PS5 Pro Console — With PS5 Pro stock this hard to come by, grabbing one when it's actually in stock is a no-brainer for PS5 fans wanting the upgraded GPU and better ray tracing. It's the console at the center of this whole lottery story, so if you can find a legit listing, it's worth snapping up before shortages worsen.
See Sony PS5 Pro Console on Amazon → Affiliate link — we may earn a commission on purchases, at no extra cost to you. Product picked by AI based on this article; it is not a tested recommendation.Source: engadget.com — Mariella Moon, 2026-09-30
Published there as: “Sony implements a lottery system to deal with the PS5 Pro shortage in Japan”
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