Sony announced today in Japan 40GB Sony PS3 consoles. As a treat Japanese customers can get a ceramic white Sony PS3 console.

As in Europe, Japan gets now lower priced 40GB Sony PS3 consoles. The price in Japan is 39,980 Yen (~$340).
Sony will start shipping the new white and the new black 40GB Sony PS3 on November 11th. Now we have something desirable again to import from Japan - a shiny white Sony PS3.
The SKU for the black Japanese 40GB PS3 is CECHH00 and CECHH00 CW for the white PS3.

The prices of the 20GB Sony PS3 and 60GB Sony PS3 console will be cut on October 17th. The new prices are 44,980 Yen and 54,980 Yen respectively.
Via this Sony press-release (Japanese), english version. See also this Reuters story.