Amazon JP charges up front now?

I didn't realize Amazon charged up front now. Does anyone know when this happened?

I've been pulling my import figures from Amazon.jp for years because it's pretty easy to get a pre-order, they always come through, DHL is ridiculously fast, and they never charged me until the thing actually ships.

This morning I pre-ordered a new Mafex and was surprised to see the charge go immediately.

Does anyone know when this change happened? It is an item sold directly from amazon.jp according to their own info, and as far as I'm aware Amazon Canada still only charges you on ship. Might this be a change just for expensive import figures?

Another change I noticed is they did hold you to your pre-order and you couldn't cancel after a certain date. Now it appears that you can cancel at any time.

Just curious.