Japan’s tech retail scene is heating up, but not necessarily for the right reasons. The latest GeForce RTX 5090 and 5080 graphics cards from NVIDIA remain scarce three months after their release. Major retailers are now restricting sales to local buyers only, trying to curb mass purchases by foreign tourists.
Tourist Demand Drives Up Prices
In cities like Osaka and Tokyo, electronic shops are posting signs saying their top-of-the-line NVIDIA models are off-limits to foreigners. Asian tourists have been flocking to Japan just to buy these coveted GPUs. Some retailers feel this has gotten out of hand, so they’re taking steps to limit sales. Even without tax refunds for non-residents, buying these cards in Japan is still a good deal due to their high prices abroad. The black market for these cards is still active.
- The prices of these GPUs are high outside Japan.
- Tourists still buy them in Japan.
- This drives up demand and limits availability for locals.
A Perfect Storm of Demand
The situation is further complicated by the growing demand from cryptocurrency miners and AI industries. Manufacturers prioritize supplying data centers and high-performance commercial applications. This reduces the availability of these GPUs for regular consumers.
Retailers’ restrictions on sales are a response to this issue, but their effectiveness is questionable due to the lack of robust verification mechanisms. Many see this as a symbolic move rather than a practical solution. This highlights the struggle between different groups vying for these GPUs, including gaming enthusiasts, miners, tourists, and businesses. In the end, the average consumer is often left at a disadvantage, facing higher prices and limited availability.