It’s no secret that the Xbox 360 just hasn’t caught on in Japan like Microsoft probably wishes it had. The console just plain doesn’t sell well to the Japanese audience and it seems like Microsoft has tried everything in their power to raise the console’s sales from the dead but nothing seems to work. They’ve released some rather high-quality, traditional JRPGs such as Blue Dragon and Lost Odyssey (with more on the horizon) but that has only had a mild effect on sales figures. But fear not, Microsoft has a plan, and that plan is to… just keep doing what they’re doing?

It seems so, and in a recent interview with Gamesindustry.biz, Microsoft’s Shane Kim outlines the plans for the Japanese market and not much seems to have changed, “We’ve been very realistic about our near-to-mid term opportunities in Japan, specifically with respect to the current console generation. Obviously it’s a challenging market with well entrenched competitors.” He continues, “I’m excited to see developments such as the new RPGs from Japanese developers - I think that’s a recognition in the developer-publisher community that the Xbox 360 is a great platform, and we’ve got a great installed base in the rest of the world.”

“Microsoft has always taken a long-term view on our various competitive battles, and Japan is no different,” he adds, “but at the same time I’m excited because I think there are opportunities that we haven’t really attacked in an aggressive way - and I think that’s going to be part of our future as well.”

New opportunities? Do I see a new Xbox 360 horse-racing exclusive on the horizon? Um… I hope not. I really, really hope not.