chakster, the VAT is deducted at the sales desk when you check out at Yodibashi. You do not have to pay the tax and then rely upon getting a refund at customs. You never pay the tax in the first place. That is perfectly legal and lawful if you have a foreign passport.
good news, this is different system then, japan is so different.
So anyone with not japanese passport can buy without VAT at their store, even if a person living in japan and then can ship it to his foreign friends with declared value of $500 and marked as used or gift). Sounds like a good plan @lewm But are you sure the price is in fact 40% cheaper than in USA ?
After the discounts for passport and using a credit card the net cost would represent a 30 to 40% savings vs US prices. Closer to 40%
SP-10R is $10 000 in USA
So it must be $6 000 for a foreigner if your calculation was correct ?