For Japan at least. Everyone else has to wait a few more months into 2012 until they get their hands on Sony’s latest portable console.

Sony Executive Vice President Kazuo Hirai confirmed today that the PlayStation Vita will go on sale this december in Japan and early next year in the US, Europe and other territories.

This is corroborated by SCEA president Jack Tretton statements indicating that the timetable for the PlayStation Vita is targeted for: as early as January, the Vita will likely hit only one region in 2011. Of course with Japan, all that Sony needs to do is release a Monster Hunter game for the Vita and it’ll sell like hotcakes.

When asked if they will be dropping the price for the PlayStation Vita in response to the 3DS price drop, Hirai says, “We packed so much into the device and made it very affordable. There is no need to lower the price just because somebody else that happens to be in the video game business decided that they were going to lower their price.”

When inquired about the 2012 release for the international market, Kazuo Hirai said his company wants to “be prepared with solid game software offerings timed with the hardware launches”. A good call considering the Nintendo 3DS‘s lackluster launch line up.

The PlayStation Vita will be priced as follows:

Wi-Fi Model:
Japan: 24,980 yen
Europe: 249 Euro
US: 249 Dollar

3G Model:
Japan: 29,980 yen
Europe: 299 Euro
US: 299 Dollar

Anyone interested in importing the Vita from Japan early?