Reporting ahead of tomorrow's press event, the Nihon Keizai Shimbun is suggesting that Sony will confirm a delay to the Playstation 3 until November 2006 in Japan.

The paper maintains earlier claims that the Blu-ray technology is behind the delay, claiming copy protection issues surrounding the format are specifically to blame.

The news comes after reports have emerged citing claims by Microsoft that any delay to the PS3 scheduling could have a positive effect on the sale of Xbox 360, providing a larger then expected "headstart" period to gain a significant grip over the Western market at least.

Whether or not the delay leads to a knock-on affect throughout the West remains to be seen, but look out for further information very shortly.

[UPDATE]

Further information to this report suggests that if Sony were to stick to the planned Spring 2006 launch then it would only be able to supply 500,000 units to the market, compared to the 2.5 million it believes are needed to avoid initial shortages.

This comment seems to suggest Sony was gearing towards a Japan launch at the outset, so whether or not the delay will lead to a simultaneous North American release remains to be seen - just don't expect the PS3 to surface in Europe until Spring 2007 at the earliest, hopefully we won't have to endure the nine month wait it took for the PSP to appear.