Japan game exports hit record high: survey

TOKYO, Japan (CNN) -- The value of Japan's game exports, including software and hardware, reached a record high last year, according to an industry survey.

Total game shipments surged from $8.2 billion in 1999 to $9 billion in 2000, a new study by Japan's Computer Entertainment Software Association (CESA) found.

Japan has emerged as the undisputed hotbed of the game industry, commanding over half of the world's game software business and virtually the entire game console and hardware sector.

The survey stated that Japan's game software reached $4.6 billion in exports in 2000, up from $4.5 billion in 1999.

The hardware business hit $4.34 billion in 2000, up from $3.65 billion the previous year.

"The numbers are pretty much as expected," said UBS Warburg game analyst Takiko Mori.

"But it doesn't say anything on total unit shipments, only the value."

Mori questioned whether CESA had made the necessary allowance to its figures to address the weaker yen.

"They may need to make some adjustments regarding the weaker yen."

CESA publishes its white paper on Japan's game industry every July.