This Game Only Supports Japanese Interface/Voice for Customers in Japan.: A Simple Guide for Japanese Players

If you shop on Steam in Japan, you may see a notice that says this game only supports Japanese interface/voice for customers in Japan. This notice can confuse some players. But it is good news for you if you live in Japan. It means you can play the game with Japanese menus and Japanese voices. This guide explains everything in simple words.

What Does “This Game Only Supports Japanese Interface/Voice for Customers in Japan.” Mean?

The notice that this game only supports Japanese interface/voice for customers in Japan. appears on some game pages on Steam. Steam shows it only when your account is set to Japan.

Here is what it really means:

• Interface is the menus, text, and buttons in the game.
• Voice is the spoken words by characters.

For players in Japan, the game has full Japanese support. You see Japanese text. You hear Japanese voices.

Outside Japan, players do not get these Japanese options. They play with English or other languages instead.

This is a Steam region notice. It tells Japanese customers that they get special Japanese content.

Many games have this notice. Examples include The Last of Us Part I, Horizon Forbidden West, Ghost of Tsushima, and Days Gone. These are popular games from PlayStation that came to PC.

Why Do Some Games Have This Steam Japanese Language Restriction?

Games do not always have every language everywhere. There are reasons for this.

The main reason is Japanese voice acting license. Voice actors in Japan are called seiyuu. They are very famous. Their agencies make strict rules.

When a game company records Japanese voices, the contract often says: “Use these voices only in Japan.”

This is a voice-over regional rights rule. The company pays less money this way. If they want Japanese voices everywhere, they pay much more. Sometimes agencies say no to worldwide use.

This happens a lot with games that add Japanese voices later. Western games like The Last of Us get a new Japanese dub for Japan. The license is only for Japan. Steam Community discussion where players discuss the meaning of the Japanese language notice for The Last of Us Part I¹

Japanese games sometimes have the opposite problem. But this notice is mostly for games where Japanese support is Japan-only language support.

Steam follows these rules. They make different versions:

• Japanese version vs international version game
• Japan gets Japanese audio and text.
• Other countries use English or local languages.

This is called region-based language support or game language region lock.

Benefits for Japanese Players: Why This Notice Is Good for You

You live in Japan. This notice means you win!

1. You get the full Japanese localization only. Menus are in Japanese. Easy to read.
2. You hear Japanese audio exclusive. Famous seiyuu voice the characters.
3. The game feels made for you.

Many Japanese gamers like this. You expect games in Japanese. This notice promises that.

Without it, some games have only English text or voices in Japan. That would be hard.

Steam shows the notice to reassure you. It says: “Yes, you get Japanese support here.”

Common Games with Japan-Only Language Support

Many popular games have this notice. Here are some examples:

• The Last of Us Part I – Great story game. Japanese voices sound emotional.
• Horizon Forbidden West – Big open world. Japanese text helps understand the story.
• Ghost of Tsushima – Samurai action. Japanese voices make it feel real.
• Uncharted Legacy of Thieves Collection – Adventure games. Fun in Japanese.
• Days Gone – Zombie survival. Japanese dub adds feeling.

Players outside Japan sometimes ask: Can I play Japanese voice version outside Japan? Usually no. Because of the license rules. Reddit thread discussing the Steam store page notice for The Last of Us Part I, including examples from other games²

Some players try to change regions. But Steam has rules. Do not change your Steam account region settings just for language. It can cause problems.

How Steam Detects Your Region

Steam looks at your store country. It uses your payment method and IP address.

The notice is a Steam store region notice. It appears only in the Japan store.

If you travel outside Japan, you might not see Japanese options. But when you are home, everything works.

Japanese Voice Acting License Explained Simply

Let us talk more about licenses.

In Japan, voice actors belong to big agencies. These agencies protect the actors.

When a game uses their voices:

• The agency says, “Only sell in Japan,” to keep costs low.
• Or they charge a high price for worldwide.

Game companies choose the cheap way. So Japanese voices stay in Japan.

This is common in game localization policies.

It also happens with music or cutscenes sometimes.

International Version vs Japanese Version: Key Differences

Feature	Japanese Version (In Japan)	International Version (Outside Japan)
Interface Language	Japanese	English or local language
Voice Acting	Japanese	English or other dubs
Subtitles	Japanese or English	Local language
Extra Content	Sometimes Japan-only bonuses	Different bonuses

Japanese players get the version that feels natural.

Tips for Enjoying Games with Japanese Support on Steam

Here are easy tips:

1. Keep your Steam store set to Japan.
2. Use a Japanese payment method.
3. In-game settings, choose the Japanese language if needed.
4. Download any language packs availability if the game asks.
5. Enjoy the Japanese voice acting!

If you see the notice, smile. It means good Japanese support for you.

More About Language Availability by Region

Games cost a lot to make in many languages. Companies choose what fits each country. In Japan, players want Japanese. So companies make sure you get it. This is called regional game builds. Some games have full languages everywhere. But many have limits.

History of Game Localization in Japan

Long ago, games from America had no Japanese. Players had to learn English. Now, most big games have Japanese support in Japan. Companies work hard for this. The notice shows their effort. Quora discussion explaining costs and licensing reasons for limited voice options in game localization³

Why Some Players Outside Japan Want Japanese Voices

Some global players love Japanese voices. They think it sounds better. They ask: Can I play Japanese voice version outside Japan? Usually no. But some games let you change in settings if allowed. Mods sometimes help, but be careful. For you in Japan, you get it easy.

Localization Restrictions and Future Changes

Rules may change. More games now have Japanese voices worldwide. But many still have the notice. It protects voice actors and keeps prices fair.

FAQs

What does “Japanese interface only” mean on Steam?

This means that if you buy the game in Japan on Steam, all the menus and words in the game will be in Japanese only. You cannot pick English there. But if you buy it in other countries, you can usually pick English.

Does this game have English outside Japan?

Yes! Outside Japan, the game has English menus, words, and subtitles. It works great for people who speak English.

Why is it only Japanese in Japan?

Japan has special rules for games. The companies that make the game follow these rules. They make one version just for Japan with only Japanese words. This keeps things simple and follows the law.

Steam says Japanese voices are only available in Japan. Is that bad?

No, it is good! Japanese players get to hear the real Japanese voices from famous actors. It makes the game feel just right for them.

Can I unlock Japanese voices if I live outside Japan?

No. The Japanese voices are locked to Japan only. Steam does not let you unlock them. It is against the rules to try tricks.

Should I change my Steam country to get the Japanese language?

No, do not do that. Changing your country just for language or voices is not allowed. Steam can punish your account if you do it. Be honest and keep your real country.

Conclusion

The notice that this game only supports Japanese interface/voice for customers in Japan. is helpful. It tells Japanese players they get full Japanese menus and voices. This happens because of Japanese voice acting license rules. These rules keep Japanese content special for Japan. You enjoy games the way you like best.

References

1. Steam Community discussion where players discuss the meaning of the Japanese language notice for The Last of Us Part I ↩︎
2. Reddit thread discussing the Steam store page notice for The Last of Us Part I, including examples from other games ↩︎
3. Quora discussion explaining costs and licensing reasons for limited voice options in game localization ↩︎