The executive producer of XII, Akitoshi Kawazu is the latest high-profile Japanese developer to openly criticise the in his native land.

Kawazu said recently in an interview with Power that the Japanese games industry is in decline due to a lack of passion and technological advancement.

He began: "Aside from a few well-known titles, games from are receiving less and less attention, regardless of if it's an or not. I feel that it has something to do with the marketing abilities of Japanese publishers, as well as the games themselves. The technology is not on par with Western games, and it also seems like developers are losing their passion to stick with their vision because they are being overwhelmed by costs or market trends."

"It's necessary for each individual developer to constantly be up-to-date with the latest computer and game technologies," continued Kawazu. "It is also important for teams and groups as a whole to support technological advancement. It is impossible for one person to keep up with all the skills necessary for game development on his own. On top of this, developers need to take on a project with the confidence and strength to stick with their vision. Everything I mentioned here applies to me personally, as well, and they are all things I would like to bring to fruition with my next project."

Kawazu's comments echo those previously made by Tomonobu Itagaki, and duo Jun Takeuchi and Kenji Inafune who all suggest that the Japanese games industry is now falling behind the West.

Thanks Kotaku.

By Ewan Aiton