GTA VI gets Japan's adults-only CERO Z rating, matching GTA V, one month before launch

Grand Theft Auto VI has its Japanese age rating, and it’s the highest one. The game’s pages on the Japanese PlayStation Store and Microsoft Store now show CERO Z, meaning it can only be sold to buyers 18 and older, Game*Spark reports.

What changed: Until now the Japanese rating had been listed as “pending review” (審査予定). It stayed that way after the North American and European ratings came out on October 2, and even in the October 15 launch trailer. With about a month left before launch, the stores have finally been updated.

What the rating says:

• CERO Z (18+ only), the same rating GTA V got in Japan.
• Content icons for Crime (犯罪) and Violence (暴力), also the same pair GTA V had.
• Elsewhere, the ESRB rates it M (17+) and PEGI rates it 18. Listings in Australia and New Zealand also mention “Sex Scenes,” which Game*Spark says suggests the game includes sexual content.

Will Japan get an edited version? Nobody knows yet. GTA V’s Japanese release changed some sexual scenes and cut some graphic violence. Game*Spark notes that Rockstar hasn’t said anything about differences between the Japanese and overseas versions of GTA VI. Pixel Herald says the rating was first spotted by Denfaminicogamer and Game*Spark, and that Japanese pre-orders are open at ¥9,800 for the Standard Edition and ¥12,280 for the Ultimate Edition, tax included.

Grand Theft Auto VI launches November 19, 2026 on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S.

PPR take: The rating itself is no surprise. The real question for Japanese players is whether they get the same game as everyone else. With the ratings in other regions flagging sex scenes, expect at least some changes unless Rockstar says otherwise. For everyone else, it’s one more box checked on the way to November 19.