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The “19%” figure refers to Sony Interactive Entertainment’s September 2, 2024 price increase for Japan’s standard disc-equipped PS5: its recommended price rose from ¥66,980 to ¥79,980, a ¥13,000 increase. That is about 19.4%, but it is not the current price story: a further increase took effect in Japan on April 2, 2026, bringing the standard disc model to ¥97,980.
What changed in September 2024
Sony Interactive Entertainment announced the Japan price revision on August 27, 2024, with new recommended retail prices taking effect September 2. The changes applied to the then-current PS5 lineup and related products. Sony described the move as a response to severe external conditions and changes in the global economic environment. Sony’s announcement set recommended prices; individual retailers may discount products or sell bundles at different prices.
| Model | Before Sept. 2, 2024 | From Sept. 2, 2024 | Increase |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard PS5 with disc drive | ¥66,980 | ¥79,980 | ¥13,000, about 19.4% |
| PS5 Digital Edition | ¥59,980 | ¥72,980 | ¥13,000, about 21.7% |
The pre-increase prices were for the 2023 slim PS5 models, not the original 2020 launch models. Sony’s 2024 announcement also listed DualSense double-pack prices, but the comparable previous prices are not established in the official comparison, so a percentage increase for those bundles cannot be calculated from it.
How the 19% figure is calculated
For the disc model, the calculation is (¥79,980 − ¥66,980) ÷ ¥66,980 × 100 = approximately 19.4%. “19%” is therefore a fair rounded description of that particular Japan price change. It does not describe every PS5 model: the Digital Edition’s price rose by about 21.7% on the same basis.
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- Model Number CFI-2000
- Includes DualSense Wireless Controller, 1TB SSD, 2 Horizontal Stand Feet, HDMI Cable, AC power cord, USB cable, printed materials, ASTRO’s PLAYROOM (Pre-installed game)
- Vertical Stand sold seperately
The baseline matters. The original Japanese launch prices in November 2020 were ¥49,980 plus tax for the disc model and ¥39,980 plus tax for the Digital Edition. Those tax-exclusive launch figures are not like-for-like with the later tax-included prices. Comparing the 2024 disc price with the 2020 launch price answers a different question; it does not measure the 2024 increase. Sony’s launch announcement distinguishes the original models by their built-in Ultra HD Blu-ray drive versus no disc drive.
Why the comparison starts with the 2023 slim model
Sony refreshed the Japanese PS5 lineup in November 2023. The slimmer design had a 1TB SSD; the disc-equipped version used a detachable drive, and the Digital Edition could use a separately purchased drive. Sony said the slim models retained the core PS5 experience while reducing size and weight. The launch prices for those models were ¥66,980 for the disc version and ¥59,980 for Digital Edition. The 2023 slim-model announcement listed the optional detachable disc drive at ¥11,980 and vertical stand at ¥3,980; the horizontal feet were included.
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- What's Included: Sony PlayStation 5 Disc Version; Wireless controller; USB cable, HDMI cable, AC power cord. Nogtox PVT HDMI_cable
So the 2024 change was a direct recommended-price increase for the current Japanese products, but not a price comparison between an entirely unchanged 2020 console and its 2024 counterpart. The redesign, storage and detachable-drive arrangement are part of the context.
What Sony said about the increase—and what it did not
Sony attributed the 2024 increase to severe external conditions, including continuing changes in the global economic environment and their impact on SIE’s business. It did not publish a Japan-specific cost breakdown or say how much of the change reflected currency movements, components, shipping, manufacturing costs or margin policy.
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Those are plausible pressures for imported consumer electronics, but they should not be presented as individually confirmed causes of this particular decision. Sony’s public explanation was broad rather than a detailed accounting.
Japan’s prices rose again in April 2026
Sony announced another price revision on March 27, 2026, effective in Japan on April 2. The standard disc PS5 moved from ¥79,980 to ¥97,980, an additional ¥18,000 or about 22.5%. The standard Digital Edition moved from ¥72,980 to ¥89,980, an additional ¥17,000 or about 23.3%. Sony also listed PS5 Pro at ¥137,980. The 2026 announcement described a global revision, unlike the Japan-specific 2024 change.
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- Enjoy smooth and fluid high frame rate gameplay at up to 120 fps for compatible games, with support for 120Hz output on 4K displays.
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- Explore uncharted virtual territories and slay dragons with this sleek Sony PlayStation 5 gaming console.
| Standard model | 2023 slim recommended price | From Sept. 2, 2024 | From Apr. 2, 2026 | Cumulative change since 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Disc PS5 | ¥66,980 | ¥79,980 | ¥97,980 | ¥31,000, about 46.3% |
| Digital Edition | ¥59,980 | ¥72,980 | ¥89,980 | ¥30,000, 50.0% |
The cumulative percentages span separate revisions; they are not single increases. The standard disc model’s current recommended price is close to ¥100,000, but that does not describe every PS5 sold in Japan.
Which PS5 options Japanese buyers can compare
| Option | Japanese price | What to weigh |
|---|---|---|
| Standard disc PS5 | ¥97,980 recommended price from Apr. 2, 2026 | Supports physical games and disc playback; costs more upfront than the standard Digital Edition. |
| Standard Digital Edition | ¥89,980 recommended price from Apr. 2, 2026 | Lower initial price, but no built-in disc drive. |
| Japan-only Japanese-language Digital Edition | ¥55,000; unchanged in Sony’s Apr. 2026 revision | A lower-priced digital-only alternative with a Japanese-language configuration; verify that its configuration fits your household and intended use. |
| PS5 Pro | ¥137,980 from Apr. 2, 2026 | A premium model, not the standard-price baseline. |
Sony introduced the Japan-only Japanese-language Digital Edition in November 2025 and said its ¥55,000 price was unchanged in the April 2026 revision. Check the model announcement and Sony’s current Japanese PS5 lineup for product details. Do not assume it is interchangeable with the standard Digital Edition; buyers with multilingual households or import-oriented needs should confirm language, account and software compatibility before choosing it.
Best Value
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- 825GB of storage, keep your favorite games raeady and waiting for you to jump in and play
- Ultra-High Speed SSD, maximize yoru play sessions with near instant load times for installed PS5 games
- Integrated I/O, the custom integration of the PS5 console's systems lets creators pull datat from the SSD so quickly that they can design games in ways never before possible
- Ray Tracing, immerse yourself in owrlds with a new level of realism as rays of light are individually simulated, creating true-to-life shadows and reflections in supported PS5 games
How to choose between disc and digital
Choose the disc model if physical games matter to you
- You buy used games, borrow titles or resell games after finishing them.
- You already own physical PS4 or PS5 games.
- You want disc playback, including Ultra HD Blu-ray movies.
- You expect to keep the console for years and value having both physical and digital purchase options.
Choose a standard Digital Edition if you already buy everything digitally
- You do not use physical games or movie discs.
- You value the lower upfront recommended price.
- You are comfortable buying through the PlayStation Store and do not depend on used-game prices or resale.
Digital can cost more over time if you miss savings available through used and discounted physical games, so the upfront gap alone does not settle total ownership cost. A drive can be added to compatible slim Digital Edition models, but Sony’s 2023 announcement listed it separately at ¥11,980 and said pairing it requires an internet connection. Buyers who know they want discs may prefer the simpler built-in option, rather than relying on later accessory availability.
Consider the Japanese-language model only after checking fit
The ¥55,000 model makes the entry price substantially lower, but it is digital-only and has a Japanese-language configuration. It is most relevant to Japan-based buyers who are comfortable with that setup and have verified it meets their language and software needs.
Budget for the whole setup, not only the console
Sony’s historical accessory prices show why the console’s recommended price is not necessarily the full purchase cost: the 2023 announcement listed the optional stand at ¥3,980 and detachable disc drive at ¥11,980, while the 2024 announcement listed standard DualSense colors at ¥11,480 and several special colors at ¥11,980. These are the prices in those announcements, not a confirmation of current accessory pricing. Retailer discounts, bundles and stock can also change the amount a buyer actually pays.
A PlayStation Portal is a remote-play accessory rather than a standalone console. Sony listed its Japanese recommended price at ¥39,980 from April 2, 2026. It is relevant to existing PS5 owners seeking remote play, not a substitute for buying a PS5; its usefulness also depends on a suitable network connection.
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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.




