Sony CEO and President Kaz Hiarai recently addressed sales of the Vita. While he didn’t give out specific numbers, he did mention that figures were on the “low end” of what Sony was expecting. Hirai also pointed out that he expects that to change with time. “I would say it’s on the low end of what we expected,” said the Sony president in a statement to the Wall Street Journal. “Long term is what is important.”

Regarding year-end holiday sales, Hirai stated that the Vita sold about what was expected. That said, it should be pointed out that Sony lowered its estimated sales for the Vita back in November.

Hirai is clearly looking at the bigger picture in regards to the Vita, going so far as to say that it takes anywhere from five to 10 years for a platform’s sales to be considered successful. Technically, the Vita could succeed in the long run. After all, the PlayStation 3 got off to a slow start and then took off. Realistically, however, it may take a price drop or two for it to get there, and even then that’s not exactly a guarantee.

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