Sony is taking an unusual approach to the PS5 Pro shortage in Japan, with buyers now having to prove they’ve actually been using a PlayStation before they can apply to buy one.
Under new conditions announced by Sony Japan, anyone hoping to purchase a PS5 Pro will need a Sony account registered in Japan, and that same account must be used to buy the console. There’s also a playtime requirement: buyers must have logged at least 60 hours on a PS5 or PS4, or a combination of both, between September 27, 2024 and September 27, 2026.
If those conditions are met, eligible players can submit an application from October 7. Approved applicants will then have a window from October 26 to November 2 to purchase a PS5 Pro.
There’s a catch, though. If Sony receives more applications than it has consoles available, it will use a lottery system to decide who gets to buy one.
The setup looks designed to make it harder for scalpers to get hold of the console, while also limiting the ability of visitors from overseas to simply buy a PS5 Pro while in Japan. The 60-hour requirement means having a Japanese Sony account alone won’t be enough.
The move comes as PS5 Pro stock has also been difficult to find in the US, where the console has been unavailable at major retailers for some time. Sony is reportedly dealing with component supply constraints that it expects to continue into early 2027.
Despite the PS5 Pro’s $150 price increase, demand remains high. One factor is GTA VI, which is confirmed as PS5 Pro Enhanced, meaning the game can take advantage of the console’s more powerful hardware for improved performance and graphics.
For Japanese players, then, getting hold of Sony’s premium PS5 won’t simply be a case of finding one in stock. They’ll first need to prove they’ve put in the hours, and potentially win the chance to buy one if demand outstrips supply.
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