Resident Evil could finally head to Japan after 30 years of Western settings

For three decades, Resident Evil has taken players to small-town America, rural Spain, Africa, Romania, and beyond — yet never once to Japan, despite Capcom being headquartered there. That could change, according to Requiem producer Masato Kumazawa, who confirmed the idea is actively on the developer's radar.

The opening

Speaking in a recent interview, Automaton reported Kumazawa's remarks directly: "I think every Japanese — and not just Japanese — Resident Evil fan has at least once thought about a game set in Japan. I have too. Since most of our team works here, I'm sure the idea has crossed almost every developer's mind. Japan hasn't been a setting in a mainline game yet, but someday it just might happen."

That's not a confirmation, but it's the clearest signal yet that Capcom is willing to go there. For years the franchise has been built on exporting horror to distinctly Western backdrops — the irony of a Japanese studio consistently avoiding its home turf hasn't been lost on fans.

Why now

The timing matters. Konami's Silent Hill f, set in 1960s Japan, landed in 2025 and demonstrated that audiences will embrace Asian settings in survival horror. Capcom has watched that experiment succeed, and GamesRadar notes Kumazawa's openness reflects a broader creative confidence following Requiem's reception.

The other piece of context: Resident Evil 10 is reportedly targeting a 2029 release, according to leaker Dusk Golem — a date that would land close to the franchise's 30th anniversary. A homecoming to Japan would be a fitting milestone, and Kumazawa's comments may be more than idle musing.

What to expect

Nothing is confirmed. Capcom has made no official announcement about setting, story, or timing for the next numbered entry. But the door is open in a way it hasn't been before — and after 30 years of zombie outbreaks elsewhere, a Japanese city overrun by the T-virus feels long overdue.