Microsoft is going to work even harder to win over Japanese gamers to its Xbox 360 console. The company said in Tokyo today it will triple the number of games in Japan by the end of the year.

"Our message is this: We're prepared to do everything that's needed to make Xbox 360 a success around the world, including Japan," said Takashi Sensui, who became the head of Japan's Xbox operations this month, according to Bloomberg.

The Xbox 360 debuted in December in Japan to tepid response, and gamers there seem to have turned their attention to products from Nintendo instead. But by the time Sony debuts its PlayStation 3 in November, Microsoft will have had 11 months to court fans there.

Microsoft is also looking to improve the video downloads on its Xbox Live service in Japan. It has 25 Xbox 360 games out in Japan now, according to Bloomberg, and is planning to have 80 available by the end of the year.