Out of nowhere this morning, Sony Computer Entertainment cut the wholesale price of the PlayStation 2 in Japan by 3,000 yen. This upcoming Thursday, PLayStation.com Japan will begin selling the console online for 24,800 yen (about $204 US).
The cut reflects increased production yields in machines made for the Japanese market and a desire to ensure strong sales in the key year-end holiday season, an SCE spokesman said. The spokesman added there were no plans to cut the price in North America or Europe.