Rising iSun: Thoughts on the iPad's prospects in Japan

Where's the Softbank iPad rage? RAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGE!

ooooohhh 46% of smartphone market...that makes more sense...still impressive. This high figure is due to the rate at which people are buying the iPhone...72% of the current smartphone purchases ----> http://www.businessweek.com/news/2010-04-23/apple-iphone-captures-72-of-japan-smartphone-market-update3-.html

Hmm. I didn't realize the iPhone was so popular in Japan! After playing with the iPad for 2 weeks, i think the iPad will take off in Japan because if 46 percent of the mobile market have iPhones, they already know that a larger screen allows you to do sooooooo much more...like life sized/actual sized crayons - http://itunes.apple.com/jp/app/drawing-pad/id358207332?mt=8

I think the lack of Wifi in Japan will be a huge obstacle for iPad adoption. One will basically /need/ to buy the 3G version for it to be useful, and that's a much more expensive proposition.

It's confusing that Apple calls the iPad "iPad" in Japan. Much like the Airport base stations are called AirMac, I would expect Apple to maybe call the iPad "MacPad" or something along those lines.

As stated, some confusion may abound from the Ai-Pad which already exists. I do think that will be short lived though.

Apple products have a fairly dedicated crew of individuals in Japan. Their styling has long garnered a deal of respect in Japanese culture. The higher priced machines also command respect as price is still equated largely with quality in Japan.

My guess, alternately, is that the iPad will do well in Japan. We'll see a ton of new apps come in from the Land of the Rising Sun, while initially signing on publishing companies will remain difficult in the market for the first couple iterations.

Just my $0.02

For creatives, technologists and anyone simply interested in new media, Japan is a pretty depressing place. The 'suits' control everything here.

@jonwil2002...

i'm thinking you missed the sarcasm. lol

Good points, worth considering for sure. Some interesting points in here too about the book-publishing aspect:

http://metropolis.co.jp/features/feature/the-next-big-thing/

I've been in and out of Japan for 10 years; I'm

I think the main issue with people outside of Japan is that they seem to look at the iPad, still as a bigger iPod Touch/iPhone with more features... We all know its a different, game-changing device.

The reason more Japanese haven't jumped on the iBandwagon just yet, is simple: iPhones cannot view mobile content that are produced for Japanese mobiles... try scanning a QR code at the local McDonalds or 7-11 store and you'll soon find out-- on a Japanese mobile, you'll come to the mobile site, but on the iPhone you end up redirected to the PC site. Until that simple correction is allowed for mobile safari, don't expect any big changes in the landscape. This is my biggest frustration as a mobile developer, content consumer and iPhone user here in Japan

the iPad however is seen as a very different device here. One look in an electronics store, and you'll soon find out that the Japanese *don't* need to be told what a slate-type computer is. They already have been seeing them on shelves for years. They know the difference between a netbook, an e-photoframe, and a full-blown PC. The people I've had casual chats with at the apples store here in Nagoya have all told me the same thing I see echoed here-- The day Jump or Shogakukan decides to make a manga app for the iPad, you'll see 20 people on the subway the next day with one.

Don't believe me? If you're in Japan, take a look around you on the subway and count the passengers with their keitai mobiles, Nintendo DSes, and PSPs... Then if you can, check the screens... Most of them arent playing games, they're reading CONTENT. mostly MANGA-DRIVEN content.

I've been in Japan two years myself, and most Japanese are still using non-iPhones. I'll agree with the author about typing Japanese on the phone. It's the best thing out there. However, since most of the people I talk to on a regular basis can't read Japanese, the phones here suck beyond belief when typing in English.

One thing the author forgot to mention is that a majority here use the train to commute to work. During the mornings and evenings there is rush hour traffic in which you're packed into the train like a sardine. There is no way anyone would be able to use an iPad during this time. You can barely use your phone without it touching someone else.

During non-peak times on the train, you will see a lot of people reading. They still read the paper based books because they are easy to hold in one hand while hanging onto the ceiling strap with the other. The iPhone is perfect for this one handed operation. The iPad is just too big.

I'm going to assume (NSFW) means not suitable for westerners. Japanese men have a thing for big chested teenagers that will also show their panties in the manga. Danny Choo is famous for promoting these types of characters. Apple will have to put their moral standards aside and approve all manga that have this as a story line. This "hentai" type manga is extremely popular, and Apple would be a fool not to approve this. Same goes for the anime that is popular here.

If Apple can convince popular authors like Murakami Haruki to put their books on iBooks, they may see sales of iPads grow. I certainly would buy an iPad if it helped me to learn Japanese better.