Microsoft's Xbox 360 console has launched in Japan to a lukewarm response. The console has not received anything like the reception that its European and North American launches stirred. One store official described the response as subdued, with fewer than 50 consoles sold in the first two hours.

"It's not going to be a big hit in Japan," said Kentaro Okamoto (26), one of the first Xbox 360 buyers. "I buy every new game console ... but normally Japanese customers only buy a machine when it's made by Sony or Nintendo."
In Japan, the Xbox 360 costs 39,795 yen ($331; £188).