iPhone 4 Released In Japan

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One advantage that the Eastern hemisphere has over us in the West is that it’s “tomorrow” before it’s “tomorrow” here. June 24th came early for the Japanese – who anticipated and waited in-line for the iPhone 4. Several stores held celebrations and parties, and handed out treats to customers as the stores opened and the Japanese customers got their hands on the Apple phones.

As we’ve covered previously here at TFTS – there was a time where it was thought impossible that a non-Japanese smartphone could ever be popular in Japan. Japanese featurephones had features similar to our smartphones years before the modern smartphone and intricacies in the Japanese written language caused many to write that a slate-style touchscreen phone never be popular in Japan.

Despite a rocky start in Japan – the iPhone brand is popular in the island nation. In Tokyo’s high-end Harajuku shopping and fashion district, 300 people waited overnight for the Apple phone, with some camping out a Softbank retail store for three days. The Wall Street Journal reports that when the clock struck 8am, confetti shot out of the building and a sign was unrolled that read in Japanese, “This changes everything.” The crowd must of appreciated the fanfare.

Across the way, in Tokyo’s Ginza district (Tokyo’s equivalent of Fifth Avenue or Savile Row), the early morning heat was plaguing those who waited outside the Apple Store. The Apple employees handed out bottled water and soy chips to those waiting for the Apple phone.

Giant Japanese firm Softbank is the exclusive carrier for the iPhone in Japan. Famous international businessman and Softbank CEO Masayoshi Son said at a iPhone 4 launch ceremony that the iPhone 4 was “not a product. This is a work of art.”

Apple Stores and phone locations across Europe should be opening soon (or have opened). Expect more general happiness as people across the world get their hands on the iPhone 4.

(Image Credit: Reuters)