Japanese households spent more on video games in 2025 than ever before, even as inflation forced many to cut back on everyday expenses like food.
According to a government “Family Income and Expenditure Survey”, average annual spending per household on game consoles reached 2,044 yen, the highest level recorded since the category was split out in 2010. That figure was more than triple the 616-yen average from 2024 and even surpassed the pandemic-era peak of 1,548 yen in 2020.
Spending on game software also hit a record, averaging 2,306 yen per household in 2025, the highest figure since tracking began in 2010. While software spending had already hovered around the 2,000-yen range since 2020, the new data still marks a record-setting year overall.
One major factor behind the surge was the launch of the Nintendo Switch 2 in June 2025, which sold 17.37 million units worldwide within six months, outperforming the original Switch’s early sales pace. Continued PlayStation 5 sales also likely contributed to the increased spending figures.
What makes the numbers stand out is the broader economic context. The same survey showed that food spending rose 5.5% in nominal terms, but when adjusted for inflation, it actually fell by 1.2%, suggesting households were tightening budgets on daily necessities. Even so, game spending still climbed to record levels.
