Could Sony finally be ready to stop angering their more vocal fans?  For whatever reason Sony has decided to drop the price of the PlayStation 3 "basic" model in Japan to a paltry ¥49,980 (approximately $430).  As you may recall, the same model of PS3 will go for $500 in North America.  Moreover, this model of PS3 will also now include one of those fancy HDMI ports required for certain HD displays.  Basically, if you're a Japanese PlayStation fan on a budget (well, a budget that can still afford to part with ¥49,980 for a game console) then the deal just became a little sweeter.  Next Generation has more.

The move appears to be in response to pressure from public criticism of the pricey console, as well as pressure from Nintendo and Microsoft (primarily the more Japanese-competitive Nintendo), which both sell their next generation consoles for significantly less. Some analysts and industry watchers have said that the PlayStation brand could lose its first place seating in Japan in the next generation, partly due to its price.

With the high asking price for a PS3 I can surely understand how Sony may think it needs to lower the cost to bring in more customers.  Nintendo seems set to smoke the Japanese market with the Wii, so if Sony wants to stay competitive and retain the massive mind share they enjoy in Japan, they're going to have to give the people some of what they want.