Clint raises an interesting point.
Universal Music has, from day one, been interested in the SACD format in part because of it's copy protection features (i.e. the ability to release albums without a Stereo CD layer you could copy/rip). And Universal has never been shy about saying that. They experimented with that by releasing SACDs in both Single and Hybrid layer format at the start of their involvement with the SACD format. In the U.S. they encountered some negative consumer reaction to the Single Layer SACDs and moved to Hybrid SACD releases only in most markets. In Japan, consumers may be more accepting of Single Layer SACDs - hence the issue of the SHM-SACDs in Single Layer form.
Another advantage to Single Layer SACDs is that they cost less to make since they only have the SACD layer and can be made on most DVD-capable pressing machinery. A Hybrid SACD requires the use of a special pressing machine that is able to make Hybrid SACDs, Single Layer SACDs, DVDs and Stereo CDs. This explains why Universal has made their own Single Layer SACDs in many cases over the years vs. having to contract for Hybrid SACD copies from other companies/pressing plans that have the special pressing equipment for these optical discs (Sony in Austria and Japan, Crest National in L.A., Sonopress in Germany, Viva in Hong Kong, etc.)
