Apple's iPhone goes on sale in Japan to cheering crowd

Friday 11th July, 08:15 AM JST

The requested article has expired, and is no longer available. Any related articles, and user comments are shown below.

› Login to comment

Latest 15 of 64 Total Comments Show All

YadotNapaj at 12:47 PM JST - 12th July
Movieguy:

Softbank is free to place whatever contractual restrictions they want on those who want to apply for their services.
1. It is a civil matter and surely not illegal.
2. I am not sure what you mean by xenophobic in this context, but Softbank protecting their own pecuniary interests is good business.
3. If you can't afford the friggin service don't sign a K with Softbank.
4. If you can afford the service, bite the bullet, sign their petite one-sided K, and walk out with your iPhone.
(I have had one for about a year, and it makes life a lot easier. For me it is worth every penny.) If you think Softbank is ripping you guys off in Japan compare it to what AT&T charges in the States.
movieguy at 01:15 PM JST - 12th July

YadotNapaj... How in the world is racism not illegal in your eye??? You can not put restrictions on services based on nationality or race. PERIOD. When they put the conditions on "foreigners" only it is no longer a civil matter, but a human rights matter and illegal.

It is xenophobic to irrationally believe that because a person is not from your country they will not fulfill their contracts and obligations and then refuse them services. Japanese people have the same opportunities to leave the country and not fulfill their contracts and obligations. AND don't even bother bringing up having family in Japan. The family is under no obligation (shame is not a legally recognized term...) to pay for a family member's debt unless they are minors or a spouse.

No where in my previous posts did I complain about the cost of the iPhone or Softbank's packages/services. The prices I've heard seem about normal. That 80,000 Yen price tag was shocking to look at as one big number, but it's obvious they are subsidizing the cost of the iPhone and that's why they were able to have the price the same in Japan as it is in most countries.

I still plan to buy one and I don't think the "REPORTED" conditions will keep me from getting one.
Zen_Builder at 01:22 PM JST - 12th July

movieguy.

And you think those rules don't exist for non-nationals in other countries? Ask any non-native in your home-country.

If you read Japan Probe about the conditions you will see many people got their phones with no hassles.

Problem seem to be confined to certain shops not the general policy by the company. But many people will get their kickers in knot too easily.

And before you attack me I have been an expat in a few countries and also know how foreigners are treated in my own country. And it ain't pretty anywhere.
movieguy at 01:35 PM JST - 12th July

ZenBuilder... No. No. I gotcha. I just like to keep my comments on Japan because this is where I live and the JT moderator will usually tell us to keep our comments on topic and not allow comments comparing Japan to other countries. I know it's equally as bad in other countries and being a "minority" in my own country I still get harrassed when I'm back home for vacation.

I hope I don't have any trouble getting my phone. I have all of the necessary documents with over two years to go on my visa and I have two Japanese credit cards. I guess I should just go to a bigger shop like Omotesando or Roppongi that will have more people to deal with the international community.
Zen_Builder at 01:43 PM JST - 12th July

Yeah, a bigger shop will be better.

You on a 3yr visa? If so you can apply for PR/Eijuken and all those worries will be forgotten.

Got my PR within 3~4yrs of arriving in japan(got here on a spouse visa.

Best of luck.
taiko666 at 03:47 PM JST - 12th July

Zen Builder: there are no special conditions for foreigners in the UK who want to open mobile phone contracts. Seems that not trusting foreigners is just part of the 'unique' Japanese culture.
Kwaabish at 10:53 PM JST - 12th July

Taiko,

In the US, if you want to open a new account, you would usually require a Social Security Number (or T.I.N.), which are not always issued to every foreigner in the US. People who cannot pass the credit checks due to no SS# or TIN can always go for a "Phone on the Go" or a pre-paid account; however that would preclude one from being able purchase and use the iPhone, since I believe that only certain phones are available for the prepaid route. Also,until now, you HAD to sign up for a 2 year contract in order to purchase the iPhone. (now you can forego the 2 year contract, but that would cost you around US$400 for the unsubsidised iPhone).

Not trusting foreigners...unique?

Try getting a FOID card (firearms ownership identification card) in the US if you're not a citizen or permanent resident...
Pukey2 at 12:25 PM JST - 13th July

movieguy:

That 80,000 Yen price tag was shocking to look at as one big number, but it's obvious they are subsidizing the cost of the iPhone and that's why they were able to have the price the same in Japan as it is in most countries.

By the time you've used it for one year, you'll have paid WAY MORE than 80,000 yen! Just not worth it. I'm not going to use it to surf to net 24/7.

sabinuki:

> There are questions about it's long-term appeal as the Japanese version does not have a credit function (like SUICA for example) nor the "cute faces" functions,

Well, that's it! How on earth can I send emails if I can't get access to those cute faces.
Zen_Builder at 12:39 PM JST - 13th July

Taiko.

So ANYONE in england can walk into a shop sign up on a contract and has NO need to show ID, etc. So NO green card(or equivalent), Alien registraton card(same as green card), etc is needed?

I would assume that they atleast ask for a valid british ID or international passport.

I don't see such requirements as racism but good business sense, who will hand out contracts to someone that mighty not be around tomorrow to honour it.
Taka313 at 05:04 PM JST - 13th July

Here's a pretty funny opinion regarding the iPhone:

http://www.thebestpageintheuniverse.net/c.cgi?u=iphone

Maddox is pretty funny. Crude, but funny.

Taka
dendychou at 09:23 PM JST - 13th July

hongkong is a country?i don't think so!i don't think iphone is pretty good to use
user1684 at 09:34 PM JST - 13th July

Movieguy:

It seems you are confusing private entities with government entities. Government entities are bound by constitutional law which protects and ensures the rights of us all. Corporations and private entities to the extent they do not receive funding from big brother, are free to form contracts with
delitachan at 09:48 PM JST - 13th July

So how much is it PER MONTH? Also, if you're currently with another provider (KDDI), can you carry your number over? My b/f stated he wanted an iPhone really badly. And yeah, these restrictions for foreigners - whatever. I wouldn't call it racism, just business. I also wouldn't read much out of Japan Probe. They endorse Debito.
user1684 at 10:12 PM JST - 13th July

whomever they choose. (Sorry for the prematurely sent message, my iBook is freaking out with all this anger about the iPhone)

It is not racism, but just good business.

You guys are complaining about 80,000 per year? You do not realize how good you have it in Japan. You would freak if I told you what I pay AT&T a month and I am perfectly happy with it.

The cool thing is once you are contracted in with them, unless it is written into the K, your prices are locked for the period of the K, and Apple keeps coming out with free upgrades all the time....

You guys are aware the iPhone has a GPS unit that works like a charm in Japan, (anyways mine did when I was there back in March) and will give step by step directions to any location.

You can now sync all of your email, calendar, and contacts (google and yahoo contacts included) automatically and remotely.

For example you meet someone at a cool restaurant or 飲み屋　and you enter it into your contacts on your iPhone, it will now automatically sync with your computer at home and at the office instantly, same for your calendar and schedule changes you want to make; change your schedule while you are riding on the train and your mates back at the office will know about it, provided each other's schedules are accessible....

So quit complaining about 80,000 and enjoy.
Badsey at 04:57 AM JST - 14th July

Foid card: unless you are a resident of Illinois I would expect this card a hardsell.

Phone Gps: depends on line of sight to cell towers to triangulate your position = not as good as satellite Gps. You could easily be off 100s of meters with cell Gps.