Nintendo Switch 2 Demand in Japan Sparks Nationwide Shortage of MicroSD Express Cards

The Nintendo Switch 2 is one of the most highly anticipated products in Japan. While there’s no official data yet on pre-orders for the console or its games, one thing is clear: a huge number of people are planning to buy it right away. This excitement is partly driven by the lower price of the Switch 2 in Japan compared to the rest of the world.

One clear sign of this hype is that MicroSD Express cards have completely disappeared from electronics stores. Both resellers, who plan to sell them online at higher prices, and regular customers preparing for the console’s arrival, are buying them up.

MicroSD Express Selling Out Fast

The shortage isn’t limited to stores in Akihabara, Tokyo’s famous tech shopping district. It’s happening across all major online shopping sites in Japan. The

It all started after the recent Nintendo Direct, where the Switch 2 was officially shown. One of the key announcements was that the new console will support MicroSD Express cards, which offer faster speeds for game storage.

The result? Sales skyrocketed. One online store, asubic, reported that cards were selling at a rate of 5.63 per minute, which is over 330 cards per hour.

Not Just Resellers, But Everyday Buyers

Interestingly, most of the buyers aren’t resellers. The shop confirmed that the majority of customers bought just one card each, likely for their own use with the new Switch 2.

It’s also worth noting that stores didn’t have huge stocks of MicroSD Express cards to begin with. These cards were never in high demand before because of their high price. But now, with so many people wanting them, production is expected to increase soon.