dragonbone-san, it is good to know that the device went through customs and is intact.
As per expansys customer service, the amount you have paid is most probably consumption tax.
http://www.expansys.jp/customerservice.aspx#engcustcare
Amazon JP charges the same on delivery but since it ships from Ichikawa, the shipping is faster.
I will also look up ebay.com. Thanks for the info. I may just ignore my gripe about Sony in exchange for a stable device.