Major Japanese gaming companies—including Sony, Nintendo, Sega, and others—faced significant losses in the stock market on Monday (7th), following the announcement of new U.S. tariffs under former President Donald Trump. The move, aimed at international markets, has shaken the gaming industry, especially in Japan.
Sony was hit the hardest, seeing over 10% wiped from its market value in just one day. Nintendo followed with a 7.85% drop. Other major names also saw sharp declines: Koei Tecmo (-7.63%), Bandai Namco (-7.37%), Sega (-7.29%), Capcom (-6.61%), Square Enix (-5.62%), and Konami (-5.19%).
While the initial shock is being felt across Japan—largely due to time zone differences—it’s expected that Western game developers and publishers will feel the ripple effects soon.
Beyond the stock market, the tariffs have already had practical impacts. The highly anticipated Nintendo Switch 2, which was slated to go up for pre-order in the U.S. starting Wednesday (9th), has now been delayed indefinitely. Fans are growing concerned that the console’s price—and that of its accessories—might increase in response to the new trade policies.
New U.S. Tariffs Spark Global Tech Concerns—Not Just in Gaming
The latest wave of U.S. tariffs hasn’t only rattled Japan’s gaming giants like Nintendo and Sony—it’s also sending shockwaves through the global tech industry, especially among companies whose operations are largely based outside the U.S.
Key players like Samsung and SK Hynix from South Korea, along with TSMC in Taiwan—which manufactures chips for industry leaders like Nvidia, AMD, and Apple—are all feeling the pressure. These companies form the backbone of global tech manufacturing, and the new trade measures could push production costs significantly higher.
The bottom line? Prices across the tech world may rise, and that increase will likely land in consumers’ laps. We’re not just talking about gaming consoles—expect higher costs for smartphones, laptops, PC components, and everyday electronics.
So, if you’re planning to upgrade your gear anytime soon, you might want to do it before those price tags start climbing. Your wallet will thank you.
