Sony makes an official statement to the lack of the UMD Passport outside of Japan and why only Japan will be getting the large price cuts for digital games.
For the UMD Program, its because only Japan supported the PSP well so they can get access to their PSP games without having to rebuy them.
For digital discounts, its because Japan pays higher prices for PSP and Vita games unlike the US/Canada. They did not factor the higher prices Europe and Australia pays for their games in why only Japan can get up to 20% off a digital version of a PS Vita game.
http://www.giantbomb.com/news/sony-o...ing-here/4001/