That's right - Japan is releasing the entire 69 Columbo series on Blu Ray this December with new hi-def masters. Below is a very rough translation of the product summary from Amazon Japan.

Synopsis
Farewell, Colombo. Memorial tribute to folk version of Peter.
World's first Blu-ray or Columbo?
recorded on your permanent full 19 episodes but has not been released DVD! enclosed booklet full specification / ultra-luxurious outer cases ★ Peter Falk Memorial ★. Colombo has poured all his passion. Now its great achievements, just look back. What the world's first Blu-ray Disc ★! HDTV use the new master ★! Colombo that has revived in high quality! are not packaged in Japan ★ "New Columbo" episode included the first 19. Colombo whole episode, complete recording of the talk about 69, your permanent! [Story] also plan to complete the criminal intellectual crime, which disrupted an alibi in Colombo, the perpetrators are driven to go quietly and reliably. Going to hunt down suspects in Colombo likely psychological seemingly harmless stupidity. TV series explanatory legend anymore! Blu-ray and complete recording of the episode that you all must-complete version of fan! [Cast] Colombo: Peter Falk ] [inclusion benefits described Columbo complete all 69 story ●! "Columbo Complete Booklet" included Number ■: 35 sheets (includes 69 story) Audio ■: ■ subtitles Japanese / English: Screen Size ■ Japanese / English: 4:3 Film (C) Universal Studios 1967/1971-2003 . All Rights Reserved. Artwork and Packaging Design (C) 2010 Universal Studios. All Rights Reserved. Image Award ※, product specifications, such as album cover is subject to change without notice.

The price translates to about $653 before shipping if you take into account the Amazon Japan discount, about $880 if you do not. It's also unknown if the Blu Ray set is region free.

Columbo is VERY big in Japan. Japan was the first country to release Columbo on DVD (and was the main reason I finally got a region-free DVD player). It's going to be very hard to resist this if the Blu Rays end up being region free.

Got the box today and the pq is just awesome. I can also confirm the discs to be region A and B.