Here's why:
* Region Locking: PS3 games are region-locked. This means games purchased in one region (e.g., North America) are designed to work only on consoles from that region.
* Account Restrictions: Your PSN account is tied to your region. If your account is registered in the US, you can only download games from the US PlayStation Store.
* Firmware Differences: Japanese PS3s might have different firmware versions than US PS3s. This could further prevent compatibility.
Workarounds (with caveats):
* Import physical copies: You can import a physical copy of a US PS3 game, but there's no guarantee it will work. Some games might have region-specific content or language limitations.
* Region-free PS3s: Some modded PS3s are region-free, allowing you to play games from any region. However, modding your console voids your warranty and can be risky.
Recommendation:
* Purchase games from the appropriate region: The best way to ensure compatibility is to buy games from the PlayStation Store associated with your console's region.
Please remember: Using workarounds to play region-locked games may violate terms of service and could lead to account issues.