Their pachinko machines produced much more money for them than games if my memory of what I read is correct. I heard something about the possibility of gambling laws changing over there as well. I wouldn't be surprised if they changed their focus to be more on gambling and other more profitable things if that were true.

It would be kind of funny (and sad) if they started selling off their franchises. Hideo Kojima ends up getting hired on at another company who then buys Metal Gear and he gets stuck with it again. I kind of doubt they'll sell off their stuff like that, but it is a kind of funny scenario to think about.