Direct quote 1999
“Metal Gear Solid sells more in Europe and America than Japan. I was unapologetic about making something Japanese in taste, but amazingly it was received with more passion and enthusiasm by people overseas.”
What it documents
In 1999 Kojima said that Metal Gear Solid sold more in Europe and America than in Japan, and that he had been unapologetic about making something Japanese in taste but that, surprisingly, it was received with more passion and enthusiasm overseas. He added that video games and anime have a big "Made in Japan" brand image that serves as a certain guarantee of quality.
Source
shmuplations.com; Kojima × Tsukamoto conversation in Game Hihyou magazine (1999), unofficial English translation. View source ↗
“Video games and anime have this big "Made in Japan" brand image. Whether its Japan or Sega, being made in Japan means a certain guarantee of quality.”