If the article speaks the truth it's a really smart business IMO. Why would Sony try to outbid MS in order to get a game that will come later to their system anyway, it's not like the Xbox360 is that popular in Japan so they knew developpers would eventually have to port it to PS3.
There's also another reason, don't forget the PS3 was overpriced for the japanese market at the time, so even if these RPG would have appealed to the japanese gamers, the price of the console would have hindered sales for the games, yet Sony has a stake in proving to these 3rd parties developpers that the PS3 is their best chance at selling RPG for home console market than either the Wii or the 360.
Plus Sony probably used the money spared to secure the exclusivity deal of FF13 in Japan which is a lot more interesting for them, and to fund other exclusive projects like White Knight Chronicles, Demon's Souls or Valkyria Chronicles.
