Thread:ComicReadingGamer/@comment-1899606-20170714193805/@comment-5688420-20170719061041

Partly. The real reason was because they had to censor some parts of the game that are considered taboo in Japanese media.

fade. was first released on November 14, 2000 in the US, followed by an EU release a month later, December 20, 2000. It didn't reach Japanese shelves until February 8, 2001.