I'm surprised that there is no xwing in Japan

Yes there are people who play, but they have to order in their stuff like tournament kits from eBay or other sites.

Japan is a place I think this would be very popular as there is a big culture in gaming over there.

Plus star wars is huge over there

While there I got to ride their rapid train which was all decked out front to back with the new TFA characters, and even inside had star wars characters in it

http://kotaku.com/all-aboard-japans-star-wars-the-force-awakens-train-1743709186

Plus ANA had one of their planes all decked out with characters as well

http://www.ana-sw.com/sp/jets/

Star wars is as huge there as any where else. In fact I've never seen any other country do that with their trains or planes

I ask because when we talk world's, Regionals, nationals, etc, I never seen Japan mentioned

North America, all across Europe, down to new Zealand, and I believe even Singapore and possibly other Asian countries have tournaments supported by ffg and are widely popular

Ive heard it had something to do with licensing, but I don't know how so.

The mouse sure seems to not mind selling star wars stuff there

Deck building games like magic, pokemon, and ton others Ive seen but have no clue are huge

I believe warhammer is popular

A quick Google search and I found that there is a thriving warhammer community there.

It's an untapped market for xwing, and with its ease to play, rules and wallet wise, I think would be huge

I plan on taking all my stuff when I move so hopefully I can find one of these xwing communities, but please ffg bring xwing miniature to Japan.

I always feel a little sad when discussing regionals, or any premier event, but never seen Japan mentioned

Japan has a huge geek culture. I just don't see how they can't sell there when gameworkshop and mtg can.

Find some local board game stores, ask them to order some goods in and run some tournaments?

If you can`t buy X-Wing at all in Japan, I guess it could be some licensing issue. Like Bandai can only sell their (awsome) Star Wars model kits in Asia, and Revell (I think) has the license for Europe and NA. Do not think FFG wants to leave money on the table if they have anything to say about it. As for regionals and so on, the support from FFG is after all relatively limited, it is really mostly up to local stores/communities/distributors to get stuff like that up and going.

Find some local board game stores, ask them to order some goods in and run some tournaments?

Been there, doing that!

There are some local stores starting to do this, mainly Osaka and Tokyo. It's expensive, since it can't be ordered directly, FFG does not have a license including Japan, thus there is no distribution chain, and we must resort to eBay for OP kits. Everything else is basically online orders, so the stores that do stock it have limited stock and charge more than we can import it for ourselves because of it.

I've been ambassadoring/demoing the game for awhile, and run additional tournaments. We have Japanese players who have translated most of the cards, but won't post them online for fear of running afoul of the copyright laws here. I asked Mr. Peterson about any plans for expansion in Asia and Japan at the flight report in Gencon last year. I was also told that there's little to no market for it here. Space is a concern, but personal experience suggests it would be niche (war gaming), though a large enough group that it would be successful especially given Star Wars / model collectors. It may be collected more for the models, but there may be issues with competing models, as namco bandai's Star Wars line.

I hope we will get support eventually, it would be nice to have easier access to all that exclusive swag.

From what I understand FFG doesn't actually handle the international sales of its game. Asmodee group handles that, and does all the translations etc... I'd Google them and research their licenses, but I'm at work and my break is about to end. I'd bet they don't market in Japan. They seem to be mainly Europe and China.

I live in Singapore and I can assure you, OP, that Japan is not alone in this. It's a regional problem and Asia has seen the lost of official support for FFG SW products since around late last year due to TFA's release. That means our local distributors cannot legally bring in FFG SW games and related promo materials. LGS's had had to rely on third party outlets and so far they're just barely managing enough to supply the community while a few have been having problems getting in new stock. Most players here have turned to buying online (myself included) to get their stuff.

It kinda sucks cause like you said Star Wars is pretty big here in South East Asia and Japan(No clue about China or S.Korea). At least in Singapore, the X-wing scene here has exploded over the past 2 years and tournaments are common occurrences despite the lack of official prize support. Would be nice if we could get a chance to win some FFG swag once again.

I live in Singapore and I can assure you, OP, that Japan is not alone in this. It's a regional problem and Asia has seen the lost of official support for FFG SW products since around late last year due to TFA's release. That means our local distributors cannot legally bring in FFG SW games and related promo materials. LGS's had had to rely on third party outlets and so far they're just barely managing enough to supply the community while a few have been having problems getting in new stock. Most players here have turned to buying online (me included) to get their stuff.

I kinda sucks cause like you said Star Wars is pretty big here in South East Asia and Japan(No clue about China or S.Korea). At least in Singapore, the X-wing scene here has exploded over the past 2 years and tournaments are common occurrences despite the lack of official prize support. Would be nice if we could get a chance to win some FFG swag once again.

Yeah we hired some smugglers to do the kessel run for swags...

What bring this game to a new market that is untapped...,

NEVER

I can chime in for Tokyo a bit, since I am behind most of the tournaments organized here lately.
I will not repeat what everyone said already,about licensing and support, which is our main problem.

We aim to do 2 tournaments per season in Tokyo and have to pay a hefty amount on eBay to get our tournament kits.
A few of us have post reviews on these forums, and I always make an announcement in the "X-Wing Organized play" section.
You can see a few of them here:
https://community.fantasyflightgames.com/topic/186316-store-tournamnets-at-mrfield-chiba-tokyo-japan/?hl=mrfield

I recently stared to post all the details on List Juggler too.

Our local store MrField had serious problems finding a distributor that would ship to Japan last year, after the cut in the number of distributors that Asmodee did.

It seems he was able to find a new one recently and hopefully stock will go back to normal levels.

Considering that, he is reasonably priced and buying from the store is almost the same as paying shipping to order online from US.

One of the Japanese guys that is X-Wing fanatic has made and is maintaining this wiki site and has everything translated to Japanese.

http://wikiwiki.jp/x-wing/

Awesome effort that is greatly appreciated.

Its because of the collective effort of individuals like the ones mentioned above, we are able to keep the scene going strong, considering the nonexistent support from FFG.

What bugs me the most personally, is that I ve repeatedly mailed FFG asking for support and I was completely ignored.

Not even an email explaining why the can't support us officially.

Most of the reasons behind it, such as licensing issues etc, we deducted them from information available online.

I can chime in for Tokyo a bit, since I am behind most of the tournaments organized here lately.

I will not repeat what everyone said already,about licensing and support, which is our main problem.

We aim to do 2 tournaments per season in Tokyo and have to pay a hefty amount on eBay to get our tournament kits.

A few of us have post reviews on these forums, and I always make an announcement in the "X-Wing Organized play" section.

You can see a few of them here:

https://community.fantasyflightgames.com/topic/186316-store-tournamnets-at-mrfield-chiba-tokyo-japan/?hl=mrfield

I recently stared to post all the details on List Juggler too.

Our local store MrField had serious problems finding a distributor that would ship to Japan last year, after the cut in the number of distributors that Asmodee did.

It seems he was able to find a new one recently and hopefully stock will go back to normal levels.

Considering that, he is reasonably priced and buying from the store is almost the same as paying shipping to order online from US.

One of the Japanese guys that is X-Wing fanatic has made and is maintaining this wiki site and has everything translated to Japanese.

http://wikiwiki.jp/x-wing/

Awesome effort that is greatly appreciated.

Its because of the collective effort of individuals like the ones mentioned above, we are able to keep the scene going strong, considering the nonexistent support from FFG.

What bugs me the most personally, is that I ve repeatedly mailed FFG asking for support and I was completely ignored.

Not even an email explaining why the can't support us officially.

Most of the reasons behind it, such as licensing issues etc, we deducted them from information available online.

I'm sorry to hear, it's awful that they can't even be bothered to send an email reply. corporate 'culture' at its best

What bugs me the most personally, is that I ve repeatedly mailed FFG asking for support and I was completely ignored.

Not even an email explaining why the can't support us officially.

Most of the reasons behind it, such as licensing issues etc, we deducted them from information available online.

I managed to get a response from them through my connections at FFG. Although they confirmed that they're not officially able to sell SW products to Singapore(and pretty much the rest of Asia) they were still mum about the reasons why they can't and specified that they were not at liberty to share such information. I was disappointed to say the least.

What bugs me the most personally, is that I ve repeatedly mailed FFG asking for support and I was completely ignored.

Not even an email explaining why the can't support us officially.

Most of the reasons behind it, such as licensing issues etc, we deducted them from information available online.

I managed to get a response from them through my connections at FFG. Although they confirmed that they're not officially able to sell SW products to Singapore(and pretty much the rest of Asia) they were still mum about the reason's why they can't and specified that they were not at liberty to share such information. I was disappointed to say the least.

I am not sure what to make of this.

Has FFG as a company reached the point you need to have an insider buddy to get a response from them?

It's the same in Australia, it's very hard to get store championships organised and ran. X Wing seems to be very centralised across Europe/North America. with none of the events like the Hoth Open being held in the Asia region.

What bugs me the most personally, is that I ve repeatedly mailed FFG asking for support and I was completely ignored.

Not even an email explaining why the can't support us officially.

Most of the reasons behind it, such as licensing issues etc, we deducted them from information available online.

I managed to get a response from them through my connections at FFG. Although they confirmed that they're not officially able to sell SW products to Singapore(and pretty much the rest of Asia) they were still mum about the reason's why they can't and specified that they were not at liberty to share such information. I was disappointed to say the least.

I am not sure what to make of this.

Has FFG as a company reached the point you need to have an insider buddy to get a response from them?

I hope not. Besides Asmodee might have as much to do with this as it does FFG....if not more.

Amazingly, there are just some things a company can't or won't talk about with the public.

Same problem in Russia.

Actually we had support till end of the last year, but then it ceased.

Yup same problem in the Philippines and only for Star Wars related FFG products, ie., X-wing, Armada, Imperial Assault...

The FFG LCG's get healthy support in kits and timely stock. Last year, we had Store Championships, Regionals and our first Nationals. Nowadays we can't even get stock or game night kits and are relying on sources outside FFG distribution channels.

Rumor has it to do with competing licenses for similar products, like Bandai's line of Star Wars model kits are available, and the Hasbro toys.

Would be nice to see distribution come back to the region as while the game continues to attract new players, the return of OP support and timely stock deliveries could do wonders for our great game.

I'm surprised that there is no xwing in Japan

Yes there are people who play, but they have to order in their stuff like tournament kits from eBay or other sites.

Japan is a place I think this would be very popular as there is a big culture in gaming over there.

Plus star wars is huge over there

While there I got to ride their rapid train which was all decked out front to back with the new TFA characters, and even inside had star wars characters in it

http://kotaku.com/all-aboard-japans-star-wars-the-force-awakens-train-1743709186

Plus ANA had one of their planes all decked out with characters as well

http://www.ana-sw.com/sp/jets/

Star wars is as huge there as any where else. In fact I've never seen any other country do that with their trains or planes

I ask because when we talk world's, Regionals, nationals, etc, I never seen Japan mentioned

North America, all across Europe, down to new Zealand, and I believe even Singapore and possibly other Asian countries have tournaments supported by ffg and are widely popular

Ive heard it had something to do with licensing, but I don't know how so.

The mouse sure seems to not mind selling star wars stuff there

Deck building games like magic, pokemon, and ton others Ive seen but have no clue are huge

I believe warhammer is popular

A quick Google search and I found that there is a thriving warhammer community there.

It's an untapped market for xwing, and with its ease to play, rules and wallet wise, I think would be huge

I plan on taking all my stuff when I move so hopefully I can find one of these xwing communities, but please ffg bring xwing miniature to Japan.

I always feel a little sad when discussing regionals, or any premier event, but never seen Japan mentioned

Japan has a huge geek culture. I just don't see how they can't sell there when gameworkshop and mtg can.

Welcome to doing business in Japan.

It is extremely difficult for foreign business to break into Japan. Not only are there cultural and linguistic challenges, but there is also a protectionist attitude that Japanese businesses adopt, in concert with government. So a lot of businesses simply don't bother. I've seen Warhammer stuff there, and it probably works because it's a niche for collectors. Star Wars stuff meanwhile is sold in 7-11s. I still have an A-Wing from the 1/144 series I picked up in a Lawson Station.

Unfortunately the Asian region falls under this umbrella. Here in South Africa, we have excellent FFG support and stock - probably because we fall under Europe. Strange, I know.

It's also true that Disney Clamped down on all star wars licensing stuff last year - not just the FFG line, but shirts, toys etc.. probably for the upcoming movie and as part of the taking control of the star wars goods empire - this coincides with FFG support dropping from other locations.

Japan never had it because the product wasn't localized for Japan - FFG does have distribution connections and localizations through some Japanese Companies.

Amazingly, there are just some things a company can't or won't talk about with the public.

It's possible that negotiations are going on now for licensing FFG products, hence the tight lips. With Disney now owning Star Wars and Asmodee FFG you have more chefs stirring the corporate soup. The number of lawyers with "power ties" could populate a small town. Each group fighting for the best outcome (read $) for their companies.

This is just conjecture. It could be as simple as a badly executed demographic survey.