Japan

iPad sales in China and Japan more than doubled since last year

By Derek Kessler, Tuesday, Apr 23, 2013 a 5:39 pm

In today's conference call after the Q2 2013 fiscal results, Apple CFO Peter Oppenheimer revealed that Apple products are selling like gangbusters in East Asia. In China and Japan both, iPad sales more than doubled this quarter from the quarter the year prior. In China specifically, iPad sales were up 138% from last year.

Apple becomes top-selling phone manufacturer in Japan

By Joseph Keller, Wednesday, Feb 13, 2013 a 11:57 am

According to recent market surveys, Apple has become the top-selling phone manufacturer in Japan. The iPhone was the best-selling phone in Japan in 2012, allowing Apple to capture 15% market share. This puts them just ahead of Sharp and Fujitsu, both Japanese firms and both holding 14% of the market. Counterpoint Technology Market Research believes that the increase in iPhone sales was due to heavier marketing by KDDI and Softbank, Japan’s second- and third-largest carriers, respectively:

Hundreds of iPhone 5 units stolen in Japan and UK

By Simon Sage, Friday, Sep 21, 2012 a 11:42 am

The iPhone 5 is just barely available to the public and already two high-volume burglaries have cleared out the inventory in some stores. In the UK, an O2 store assistant from Ilford is suspect of stealing some 252 iPhone 5 units and an unspecified amount of cash from the store's safe at around 1:30 AM this morning.

iPhone snags top spot in Japan with 30% market share

By Simon Sage, Friday, May 11, 2012 a 11:12 am

Research firm MMRI has tallied up local mobile sales for 2011 and figured that iPhone has claimed 30% of Japan's smartphone market with 7.3 million units, making it the most popular individual brand of the bunch. In the overall mobile landscape of Japan, iPhone claimed 17% share, which is second only to Fujitsu.

Siri support coming to Japan

By Allyson Kazmucha, Wednesday, Mar 7, 2012 a 1:19 pm

Apple has just announced from the iPad 3 event that their popular voice assistant, Siri, will be making its way to customers in Japan. It will be part of iOS 5.1 which will be available starting today. Siri will be rolled out in Japan over the next few weeks.

Siri is currently available in the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, Germany, and France. This aligns with Apple's plan to roll out Siri to even more countries during 2012.

iOS 5 has earthquake warnings for Japan

By Rene Ritchie, Sunday, Aug 21, 2011 a 11:19 pm

According to a 9to5Mac tipster, iOS 5 in Japan will include notifications from Japan's earthquake early warning system. It ties into iOS 5's Notification Center, and can be enabled and disabled just like any Notification Center section in Settings. Because it stays connected to Japan's nationwide online monitoring network, it will most likely lower battery life slightly, but given the importance of the system, that's likely a tradeoff anyone enabling it will be more than willing to make.

No word yet on whether any other earthquake-prone, or natural disaster-prone areas with early warning systems of their own will be able to likewise tie into Notification Center, though App Store apps can fill that gap where and as needed.

Apple offering free repairs to devices damaged in the Japan earthquake and tsunami disasters

By chrissyboy6969, Monday, May 16, 2011 a 9:31 am

Apple is now offering free service and repairs to iPhone, iPad, iPod touch and Mac computers that were damaged during the recent Japan earthquake and tsunami. The details were revealed in a Support and Information Service note on Apples Japanese website.

It confirms that Apple will offer free repairs of any Macs, Cinema Displays, iPhones, iPads or iPod touches damaged in the disaster. The offer only applies to those directly affected and who live primarily in the municipalities covered in the Disaster Relief Act of 2011.

iPad 2 hits Hong Kong, India, Israel, Korea, Macau, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, South Africa, Turkey and UAE on April 29, China on May 6

By Rene Ritchie, Wednesday, Apr 27, 2011 a 8:21 am

It looks like iPad 2, previously delayed due to the earthquake, will finally debut in Japan this week, as well as Hong Kong, India, Israel, Korea, Macau, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, South Africa, Turkey and UAE.

The Wi-Fi only version will also hit China on May 6.

Softbank to offer free phones and calls for earthquake and tsunami orphans in Japan.

By chrissyboy6969, Wednesday, Mar 30, 2011 a 10:56 pm

Following the awful earthquakes and devastating tsunami that hit Japan, it is good to hear that Japanese Cell Phone operator Softbank are offering assistance to children that were left orphaned by the recent disaster.

Softbank CEO Masayoshi Son has announced via twitter that all earthquake orphans will receive free phones with all calling costs waived until they reach 18 years old. This offer is even extended to those on other networks such as DoCoMo. The generosity didn’t stop there; he also promised a free replacement for all lost or damaged iPhones due to the earthquake.

We say well done Softbank and in particular Mr Son!

Apple delays iPad 2 launch in Japan

By Andrew Wray, Tuesday, Mar 15, 2011 a 3:32 pm

Apple has announced they will delay the launch of the iPad 2 in Japan in light of the disastrous earthquake and tsunami that hit the island last week, devastating large parts of the country.

"We are delaying the launch of the iPad 2 in Japan while the country and our teams focus on recovering from the recent disaster," said Apple spokeswoman Natalie Kerris.