Is the Xbox 2 the next-gen console to beat?

In lieu of
today's announcement that Microsoft has secured exclusive deals with two more top developers we just wanted to throw some questions out there:

1) Are you impressed with these names? (Okamoto, Mizuguchi, & Sakaguchi)

2) Will the next-gen Xbox thrive in Japan with these names?

3) Keeping in mind all of these early moves, is the Xbox 2 the next-gen console to beat?