Comments from Sony Computer Entertainment spokesman Kenichi Fukunaga have suggested that the PSP will not launch in the first half of this year in Europe. Speaking to Bloomberg, the company blamed chip shortages for the delay – which has made it impossible for enough units to be manufactured to meet worldwide demand. With the U.S. launch of the console due for March 24th, Sony is clearly attempting to ensure that the 1 million units promised for the launch are indeed available, and Fukunaga specifically explained: "Because demand for PSPs is surpassing production capacity, we are now reconsidering the timing of sales in Europe and Asia." Sony’s plans had originally called for three million consoles to be sold by the end of the company’s financial year on March 31st. With only around 750,000 units sold in Japan so far, it is not clear whether this can still be achieved. In addition, European retailers have suspected for some time now that the PSP may be delayed, with current speculation ranging between April and September.