Japan officially got to meet the stunning Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione today, when the V8 supercoupe was launched at a major party in Tokyo.

Only 500 copies of the Alfa 8C will be made, and we hear that just 70 will be coming to Japan where the local price starts at ¥22 million (or $186, 810). For anyone looking to join the queue, the news isn’t good—these official Japan-spec cars have already been sold. Japan’s long been a strong market for top-end exotica, and also boasts many knowledgeable, super enthusiastic Alfisti.

So, no real surprise then that Alfa Japan originally received more than 200 orders for the 8C. Alfa HQ in Italy then decided who – and who wouldn’t – be on the list. Production of the 8C starts at the end of this year, with first deliveries set for early 2009.

Still no word on the 8C Competizione Roadster—however, the topless stunner that first appeared at Pebble Beach in 2005, but that background clatter you hear may well be Fiat’s bosses busily crunching the numbers to see whether it’ll work…