360 Elite confirmed for Japan

Microsoft has dated the Xbox 360 Elite's arrival in Japan, where it will sell for 47,800 yen (approx $390), according to a press release on its Japanese Xbox Web site.

The package will include the black console, a black wireless controller, a black headset, and an HDMI cable. At the same time as the launch, the matching black wireless controllers will also go on sale in Japan, priced at 4,750 yen ($39).

The basic Xbox 360 currently sells in the country for 29,800 yen ($243), compared with Sony's PlayStation 3 60GB model at 59,980 ($490) yen, and Nintendo's Wii at 25,000 yen ($200).

Microsoft confirmed the plans to GameSpot, but said that a European date for the product had still not been released.

The latest sales figures for the consoles and handhelds in Japan showed the Xbox 360 trailing quite some way behind both the Wii and the PlayStation 3. For the week ending June 24, the Wii sold 65,582 units, the PS3 9,581, and the Xbox 360 only 3,369.