[quote name='Mad39er']Is that really accurate? I was aware you could change your region 5 times on the console. Not trying to challenge the train of thought more than necessary as I'm too lazy to look up how true the above actually is. In theory if changing the region is enough, he'd have access to Netflix and the rest of the services.[/QUOTE]
The main issues he's going to have is US / JPN controllers since Sony doesn't want to have them used on other region systems (this was an old firmware issue that they "addressed")
Language issues with JPN being the main language supported, not sure if there is multi-language support built in from scratch or not, as well as documentation and as mentioned warranty issues being covered by Sony JPN.
The only thing I can think of about changing region is Bluray playback, and if he gets a JPN one, then he's safe since all US / JPN Blurays are in the same Zone (which is 1)
Also PS1/PS2 titles are region locked, so you will NOT being playing US games on the system, so keep this in mind.
[quote name='62t']I would assume features like netflix is tie to the location of your ip address and not your system[/QUOTE]
This was my thinking as well. When I change to my different PSN accounts I get features not on the others like BBC (UK), some Chinese TV (HK), and then Netflix (US) and since I'm not running through a proxy server I can't watch any BBC shows since my IP originates through the US.
So I don't understand some of the information in this thread as far as validity is concerned.
OP, if you really HAVE to have one based on aesthetics, your best bet is to do some major research first to make sure what you can and can't do, I'm sure there is information out there on the web, if not I'd be shocked.
Our very forums have a disucusion on this from some time back.
http://www.cheapassgamer.com/forums/showthread.php?t=114857
And I did you a little favor to get you started, this should more than answer any questions you might have regarding getting a JPN system.
http://www.google.com/search?q=diff...s=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a