Microsoft may be forced to delay the Japanese launch of the Xbox console until sometime in early 2002, according to a recent Bloomberg report. Several executives with third-party publishers and independent industry analysts told the publication that the delay could be due to Microsoft's inability to garner strong support for its Xbox console from the Japanese development community. "They are going to have a tough time in Japan," Stan McKee, chief financial officer of Electronic Arts, told Bloomberg. "I don't know what they have at this point to be able to launch that system in Japan."

　　When contacted for comment, a representative for Microsoft told GameSpot that the company has not changed the originally announced fall 2001 launch for the Japanese Xbox. She confirmed that further details regarding the company's plans for the Japanese market will be outlined during Bill Gates' keynote speech at the upcoming Tokyo Game Show 2001 Spring.

　　Microsoft has previously confirmed that major Japanese publishers such as Namco, Capcom, Konami, Bandai, Hudson, and Tecmo have signed on to develop games for the console. However, only Konami has announced specific projects, including Metal Gear Solid X and Silent Hill X, among others. The Bloomberg report claims that Microsoft may not have enough software designed specifically for the Japanese market to be able to successfully launch the Xbox in that territory this year.

　　GameSpot will have further details as they are available.