Japan gripped by iPad frenzy

It's not easy to get gadget-friendly Japanese customers especially enthused about a new gizmo. Yet, as the Wall Street Journal points out, anticipation for the iPad's release in the land of the rising sun is high. As customers line up outside a Ginza Apple Store days in advance, more than a half-dozen Japanese business and technology magazines feature the iPad on their cover. What accounts for the frenzy? Daisuke Wakabayashi, writing for the Journal, names several factors.

First is the Japanese electronics industry itself. Facing infiltration by new and less expensive gadgets from the likes of Apple and Amazon, as well as the large bank roll of South Korean competitor Samsung Electronics Co., many Japanese companies have focused on improving existing devices, and less so on creating something new, so innovation like the iPad makes a big splash.

Another factor, Wakabayashi notes, is the sheer pleasure of owning a name-brand device. In Japan (and so many other parts of the world), Apple products are fun to own and show off. College student Kazuto Ishimura told the Journal, "Japanese products are very capable and powerful, but they don't have the same charm as ones made by Apple." Note that Ishimura conducted his interview while waiting in line outside that Ginza Apple Store.

There's more to Wakabayashi's article, and we suggest reading the whole thing. In the meantime, we anticipate sales reports from Japan and elsewhere as the iPad goes on sale internationally throughout the day today.

[Via MacDailyNews]

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Source: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB1000142405274870363030457526…

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It's not easy to get gadget-friendly Japanese customers especially enthused about a new gizmo. Yet, as the Wall Street Journal points out,...

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reeder

Lining up in Japan for something new is pretty normal. http://globalvoicesonline.org/2010/05/02/japan-infinite-lines-have-a-reason-for-being/

There's odder things to queue for. http://www.kirainet.com/english/krispy-kreme/

May 28 2010 at 2:36 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Danny

Loads of MacHead in Japan.I don't think is all about the brand .Apple has a good solid base customer in here.No crowed for me since I reserved it.Ridiculous thing is SoftBank staff is dawg slow 2 hrs in total just doing the paperworks and activation.

May 28 2010 at 1:11 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Danny

May 28 2010 at 1:10 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Danny

May 28 2010 at 1:07 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

info

www.ipadusersgroup.com, please register for upcoming IPAD giveaways and apple Gift cards

May 28 2010 at 12:39 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

info

www.ipadusersgroup.com, register for future IPAD giveaways and Apple Gift Cards

May 28 2010 at 12:36 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

JCT

I was in Tokyo and Kyoto a couple of weeks ago and caused quite a stir on the Shinkansen and Narita Express when I pulled out my iPad.

May 28 2010 at 11:39 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

pika2000

Well, considering the bombardment of Apple products in recent Japanese dramas, wouldn't surprise me that the general population are more aware of Apple.

May 28 2010 at 2:14 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Ken

Correction, I meant to say "sick" not "suck". Sorry.

May 28 2010 at 1:54 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Ken

Many people take a dayoff just to wait in line for their iPad. Usually Japanese office workers can't have a dayoff unless they're suck or it's a national holidays. So, this is very big for Japanese people and Apple Japan.

May 28 2010 at 1:50 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply