Japanese shops halt desktop PC orders until 2026 as memory shortage intensifies — built-to-order systems hamstrung by component shortages and skyrocketing prices

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So far, three stores have implemented measures.

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(Image credit: Tom's Hardware)

Every facet of computing seems to be consumed by the growing appetite of the AI boom. It's already snatched enough production lines that DDR5 memory now costs 4x as much, while most SSDs have also doubled in prices. Now, we're seeing reports from Japan where PC vendors are closing orders for the remainder of the year because they simply cannot keep up with the demand.

Shops in the region that sell pre-assembled builds, known as Build-to-Order (BTO), are struggling to fulfil even existing commitments as RAM and storage gets more expensive by the day, with dwindling inventories exacerbated by the inability to procure new parts at consistent prices. This makes it difficult for these BTO shops to offer quotes to customers.

Japanese PC vendors warning customers of late deliveries, fluctuating prices and dwindling stock

(Image credit: Sycom / TSUKUMO)

IT Home remarks that at least three popular stores in its coverage, have implemented some sort of a halt, along with late delivery alerts. First up is Sycom that momentarily paused orders on its website from December 16 to December 19, but they've since reopened, but it remains to be seen for how long. Even so, the shop has warned that delivery times will take longer than before.

Next, we have the iconic TSUKUMO retailer who has two in-house brands known as G-Gear and eX.computer, think of the former as a local iBuyPower or CyberPower stand-in. Both of these brands have stopped taking new orders entirely. The store in general has also paused ordering for delivery for the remaining days of 2025.

Lastly, we have Mouse Computers who announced on December 16 that sales for some products will soon face suspension, while also citing "delays in shipping and delivery." That was followed up with another announcement on December 19. This time, Mouse Computers warned that their consultation counters are congested and that some items available on their website currently have "undecided" shipping dates.

Today, Mouse Computers posted a dedicated statement on X, saying PC products from NEXTGEAR, G TUNE, and DAIV PC brands are the ones going on a sales hiatus. Specifically, they'll stop being sold between December 23, 2025, to January 4, 2026. When orders resume on Monday, January 5, 2026, they'll bring with them inflated prices.

All that is on top of the typical, seasonal rush of the holidays. It's clear the situation has reached a critical point, one not too dissimilar from the GPU shortage we had a few years ago where the community would scour stores and sites for stock updates.

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Hassam Nasir
Hassam Nasir
Contributing Writer

Hassam Nasir is a die-hard hardware enthusiast with years of experience as a tech editor and writer, focusing on detailed CPU comparisons and general hardware news. When he’s not working, you’ll find him bending tubes for his ever-evolving custom water-loop gaming rig or benchmarking the latest CPUs and GPUs just for fun.

2 Comments Comment from the forums
  • Shiznizzle
    Here we go. I knew this would happen. These self made shortages are now going to affect the economies of some nations. It could very well be that DDR is on the list of some countries' CPI. This is going to be a drag on their economies. No RAM means no more computer sales unless you want to pay eye watering sums of money for it.

    If this keeps going for many years i cant see myself moving up to AM6. I resisted the move to AM5 as it is and only just got on now with some %150 priced mediocre CL 38 kit
    Reply
  • uplink-svk
    Money see 🐵, monkey do 🐒. Every general component producer wants their own GPU Gold Fever. When VGAs that sold for 500e sell now for 2000 - 3000e, mem. chip producers want the same. You could have 64GB kit for 160e a few months back. That was lunacy. Now the same kit costs 500e. Prices will never go down. And the greedy morons will completely destroy gamer computer and components market. And no one will 🦇 an 👁. We deserve what's coming. I mean us, the Collective West. Western and Central Europe, USA, UK, Canada, Japan, SK, Taiwan, Australia and New Zeland. Our age of dominion and maybe even of us is over. Because we're greedy.
    Reply