Microsoft has confirmed a 25% price cut in the price of the Xbox 360 Elite in Japan.

The new price means the Xbox 360 Elite will now sell for 29,800 Yen ($322), down from 39,800 Yen ($430).

The new packs, just as in Europe, will no longer be bundled with an HDMI cable.

Microsoft also said the 60Gb Pro model will be discontinued, while the price of the Xbox 360 Arcade model, which saw an increase in the UK, will remain the same at 19,800 Yen ($214).

"With the price cut, we hope to boost demand for the Xbox game console. The Christmas and year-end shopping season is very important for us," said Joji Sakaguchi, director of Xbox marketing in Japan, as reported by the Associated Press.

"We are confident that we will do well during the upcoming holiday season. We cannot lose."