Region Switching to buy a restricted game.

[Crashban96]

Hi. I wanted to find a clear set in stone answer but can’t seem to find it. I have moved from the U.S. to Japan. I have continued to buy games from the U.S. store, but there is one game in particular that’s exclusive to Japan that I want to buy. Since I’m physically in Japan, is it possible for me to swap regions to Japan, buy the game, then wait out the region change period, switch back to U.S. region and keep the Japanese game? I mean this as am I breaking ToS if I do this? Is it even possible to have a U.S. account with a Japan exclusive game if purchased in the Japan region? I appreciate the help. Thank you

[KharnTheKhan]

If you can provide evidence you now live in japan along with japan banking info you will not be breaking TOS by switching to Japan store, But if you switch back to USA store while living in Japan it will break TOS. Also you're supposed to update your region when you move not wait and change it when its convenient, Idk if there is a time period they expect you to change it but lets say 90 days is fair(since thats how long you have to wait after changing region) anything past that depending how exactly the TOS is worded you could already be violating it.

As for the Japan game if its region locked to Japan when you log into steam from japan you can view the store page but if youre outside japan the store page will error out or at least thats how some games are like Dead Or Alive Venus Vacation. But as long as its in your library you should be able to still play it

[datCookie]

You'd be breaking ToS, yes. The whole point of region restrictions is to prevent people from buying games they shouldn't be and also to prevent people from buying games cheaper due to currency differences.

To be allowed to buy a game in another region, you need to have a verified banking provider from the region. This is to allow for people who move countries to update where they are and access that region's store catalogue.

[C²C^Guyver |NZB|]

Not a good idea to admit that. You're supposed to switch regions when you move countries. Valve can terminate your ability to buy games on that account.

[BJWyler]

Your method of payment must be one that matches that of the country you told Steam you are living in. If they don't match, your account will be locked out from making purchases in any other country, and may get suspended for fraud.

[Chika Ogiue]

Originally posted by C²C^Guyver |NZB|:

Not a good idea to admit that. You're supposed to switch regions when you move countries. Valve can terminate your ability to buy games on that account.

Keep in mind that if OP is a part of the US armed forces and is stationed at one of the bases, then having a US IP address in Japan is very much a thing. In that case, they are not violating anything in the TOS by using the US Steam store region. Of course, if the OP is an English teacher in Japan and not a member of the US armed forces, then yes, they should be using the Japan store if they've been in Japan for longer than 90 days and are paid in JPY.

[blunus]

Japanese debit/credit card and Japanese billing address is and always only the payment method in order to not circumvent restrictions on a game. And should you decide to move away from Japan, that restricted game is put on hold for 90 days just after purchase.

[Crashban96]

Originally posted by KharnTheKhan:

If you can provide evidence you now live in japan along with japan banking info you will not be breaking TOS by switching to Japan store, But if you switch back to USA store while living in Japan it will break TOS. Also you're supposed to update your region when you move not wait and change it when its convenient, Idk if there is a time period they expect you to change it but lets say 90 days is fair(since thats how long you have to wait after changing region) anything past that depending how exactly the TOS is worded you could already be violating it.

As for the Japan game if its region locked to Japan when you log into steam from japan you can view the store page but if youre outside japan the store page will error out or at least thats how some games are like Dead Or Alive Venus Vacation. But as long as its in your library you should be able to still play it

I don't really have a Japanese form of payment right now. I still use my US bank and am paid in usd even though I live here, so how does that even work?

[datCookie]

Originally posted by Crashban96:

Originally posted by KharnTheKhan:

If you can provide evidence you now live in japan along with japan banking info you will not be breaking TOS by switching to Japan store, But if you switch back to USA store while living in Japan it will break TOS. Also you're supposed to update your region when you move not wait and change it when its convenient, Idk if there is a time period they expect you to change it but lets say 90 days is fair(since thats how long you have to wait after changing region) anything past that depending how exactly the TOS is worded you could already be violating it.

As for the Japan game if its region locked to Japan when you log into steam from japan you can view the store page but if youre outside japan the store page will error out or at least thats how some games are like Dead Or Alive Venus Vacation. But as long as its in your library you should be able to still play it

I don't really have a Japanese form of payment right now. I still use my US bank and am paid in usd even though I live here, so how does that even work?

It doesn't. To access the Japan regional store for Steam without breaching ToS, you need to have a valid payment system located in Japan itself.

[Crashban96]

Originally posted by datCookie:

Originally posted by Crashban96:

I don't really have a Japanese form of payment right now. I still use my US bank and am paid in usd even though I live here, so how does that even work?

It doesn't. To access the Japan regional store for Steam without breaching ToS, you need to have a valid payment system located in Japan itself.

So I'm not breaching TOS by still using the US Store? Because my payment method is still US

[C²C^Guyver |NZB|]

Originally posted by Crashban96:

Originally posted by KharnTheKhan:

If you can provide evidence you now live in japan along with japan banking info you will not be breaking TOS by switching to Japan store, But if you switch back to USA store while living in Japan it will break TOS. Also you're supposed to update your region when you move not wait and change it when its convenient, Idk if there is a time period they expect you to change it but lets say 90 days is fair(since thats how long you have to wait after changing region) anything past that depending how exactly the TOS is worded you could already be violating it.

As for the Japan game if its region locked to Japan when you log into steam from japan you can view the store page but if youre outside japan the store page will error out or at least thats how some games are like Dead Or Alive Venus Vacation. But as long as its in your library you should be able to still play it

I don't really have a Japanese form of payment right now. I still use my US bank and am paid in usd even though I live here, so how does that even work?

Having a US bank has to be verified by Valve. I'd not buy ANYTHING on Steam until you talk to Support.

[blunus]

Originally posted by Crashban96:

I don't really have a Japanese form of payment right now. I still use my US bank and am paid in usd even though I live here, so how does that even work?

If you remain using US payment method, the store page for the restricted game will appear to be blank with an error message telling you why.

Originally posted by C²C^Guyver |NZB|:

You're STILL in a different region and you haven;t informed Valve.

No need to inform Valve as I said above.

[Crashban96]

Originally posted by C²C^Guyver |NZB|:

Originally posted by Crashban96:

I don't really have a Japanese form of payment right now. I still use my US bank and am paid in usd even though I live here, so how does that even work?

Having a US bank has to be verified by Valve. I'd not buy ANYTHING on Steam until you talk to Support.

I see. Ok

[C²C^Guyver |NZB|]

Originally posted by Crashban96:

Originally posted by datCookie:

It doesn't. To access the Japan regional store for Steam without breaching ToS, you need to have a valid payment system located in Japan itself.

So I'm not breaching TOS by still using the US Store? Because my payment method is still US

You're STILL in a different region and you haven;t informed Valve.

[Crashban96]

Originally posted by C²C^Guyver |NZB|:

Originally posted by Crashban96:

So I'm not breaching TOS by still using the US Store? Because my payment method is still US

You're STILL in a different region and you haven;t informed Valve.

How was I supposed to know I had to inform them? There’s not a clear way to do so

[Chika Ogiue]

Originally posted by Crashban96:

I don't really have a Japanese form of payment right now. I still use my US bank and am paid in usd even though I live here, so how does that even work?

Then you can't buy from the Japanese store on that account until you get a Japanese billing method. Your best option for now is to make a new account and find a store that's selling Steam Wallet codes. Try Family Mart or GEO, for example. You can also try Matsumoto Kiyoshi, if they have shops in your area. They've been known to sell Steam Wallet codes, too.

Originally posted by blunus:

No need to inform Valve as I said above.

If you live in a region longer than 90 days, you are expected to change the Steam store region to that of the one you're in. If there's a reason that cannot be done, Valve prefer you to reach out to support and ask for advice. This is so they don't ping you for suspected fraudulent activities.