If you are a regular here at FSMdotCOM or at least , you’ve been here a couple of times, you know that im highly interested in the Japanese iPhone scene. I finally found someone that can fill me in.( and you of course ).
This article was written Maree Carr
The latest iPhone 3G seems quietly popular here in Japan. From what I’ve seen, it’s mostly gaijin (foreigners) who have them, which probably seems a little contradictory to the perceived technological addiction so many foreigners conjure when they think of the Japanese. In fact, to my surprise, I actually find Japan to be a little technologically… delayed. But that’s a whole other story (upon which I can elaborate at a later date should anyone be interested).
As for the iPhone, there only seems to be one player involved in the retailing of such an amazing piece of technology; Softbank (formerly Vodafone Japan). Softbank also seems to be the most popular phone provider for foreigners as they offer English support (of which I can tell you is basically useless. More on that later!).
After having made the decision that the iPhone was for me (due to my intentions to travel extensively internationally in the future and the desire to carry just one phone that would work across all systems) I decided to start my phone plan research while I waited for my “gaijin kaado” (foreigners card) to be processed therefore enabling me to sign up to a contract. It seems that the concept of capped plans (such as those in Australia and the UK (and possibly elsewhere)) have never reached the shores of Japan, as the phone plan system here is more complicated than the theory of relativity. Even after having read a catalogue in English and having dragged a native speaker with me to Softbank, I still left empty handed and more confused than I was previously!!