Mobile industry consultants Eurotechnology Japan KK estimate that between 75,000 and 125,000 iPhone 3Gs were sold in Japan between the device's release on July 11 and the end of the month. The company describes its methodology in an August 8 message:

• SoftBank Mobile subscribers increased by 158,900 during June 2008, but 215,400 during July 2008.
• Eurotechnology sees no similar large jumps in past data, other than seasonal jumps in March of the years observed (attributable to strong sales before the traditional start of the financial year, school year, and general employment year in April).
• As no other high-profile phones were introduced by SoftBank in July, the month's unusually high subscription increase of 56,500 users can be safely attributed to new iPhone 3G subscribers (including existing SoftBank subscribers adding iPhone as a second phone, or defectors from other carriers).
• The above would not count existing SoftBank subscribers upgrading from an existing phone to iPhone. With no numbers released by SoftBank, Eurotechnology guesses at a number similar to the 56,500 new subscribers – or for simplicity, 100,000 total.
• Assuming a +/-50% margin of error on the number of upgrading subscribers yields a ballpark result of 75,000 - 100,000 iPhone 3Gs sold in Japan during July 2008.

If sales keep up that pace, Eurotechnology estimates between 640,000 - 1 million iPhone 3Gs sold in Japan during 2008. Nice numbers - though still only 1.2 - 2% of all handsets sold in the country for the year.

The Japan iPhone 3G sales numbers are a big piece of guesswork, but it's a rough block to start whittling into useful shape as more data appears. Stay tuned for more –

Continuing from Japanese iPhone survey indicates massive demand - Part I:

What's not to like about the iPhone?

Asked about concerns, respondents' top choice was cost. Many respondents said they'd base their purchase consideration on the price – though with pricing details appearing shortly before the survey's end, that result doesn't tell us much.

Among those who knew of the service plans' costs, opinions were split. Many found the plans fairly priced, and many didn't; some users considering purchase of an iPhone as a second phone – possibly a high-end iPod, essentially – said they'd prefer a lower-cost, usage-based data plan, as they didn't need unlimited data.

Another concern was SoftBank's 3G transmission quality (SoftBank is behind in HSPDA deployment) and reliability overall, a concern for switchers used to staid DOCOMO's reliability.

Looking at some some concerns of "positive" respondents: read more »

With just four days to go before the iPhone hits Japan, everyone is wondering whether the locals will snap up the device or leave it sitting on shelves. What do surveys tell us?

An earlier survey by iShare wasn't too helpful, suggesting that "only" 9% of Japanese had plans to buy. But that survey has to be ignored: it polled a small sample size before the iPhone 3G – and any plans for Japan – were even announced. (Even so, 9% of people stating they'll buy last-year's version of a single model phone, one not even available yet, is arguably an indicator of surprisingly high demand!)  

In the United Kingdom, a survey similar to the above was conducted by O2, UK's official iPhone supplier. The survey found that only 7.6 percent of the respondents would purchase an iPhone. As it turned out, a large number of buyers stormed shops during the iPhone's inaugural UK release. The same phenomenon that hit the UK may also be experienced when the Japanese market meets the iPhone 3G, whose predecessor was heralded as one of the top inventions of 2007.

With the euphoria of the first iPhone having raised interest in Japan, mobile phone aficionados across the country are anticipating the release of the 3G. The iPod's succcess in Japan shows the ability for Apple to score hits in the market, and many experts see the iPod as an indicator of success for the iPhone 3G in Japan too. Other foreign brands with the latest mobile phones have failed to make a big impact in Japan, but the iPhone 3G may be the one to change this record. What do more recent survey results say?

Latest data from Kakaku.com

Kakaku.com, Japan's well-known gadget price-comparison site, conducted its own web survey of 7963 site members (90% male, 10% female) from June 19 to 25, after the iPhone 3G announcement and during the week that details of the Apple-SoftBank Mobile partnership came to light on June 23. That means all respondents had opportunity to learn about the iPhone itself, but not all knew details of its pricing or of SoftBank's involvement. Thus, while the survey results are perhaps the best indicator we have right now of Japanese buyers' intentions, responses concerning pricing and attitudes toward SoftBank have to be discounted somewhat.  read more »

Name: Chinshu Hakken!? Mugen Edamame
Category: novelty / toy
Price: JPY630
Release date in Japan: June 28, 2008

Remember the "Mugen Edamame" keychain/mobile phone fob from BANDAI, released barely over two months ago? (You should; it's for some reason the most-viewed gadget on this site.) The maker now has new varieties in stores: "Chinshu Hakken!? (Rare Breed Discovered!?) Mugen Edamame". It seems, says BANDAI, that the original green Mugen Edamame have married with other fruits and vegetables, producing "new breeds" in bright colors that reflect their heritage: Lemon Edamame, Sweet Potato Edamame, Carrot Edamame, and Mint Edamame (a rich blue).

This time around, BANDAI has six new faces readied for the beans, plus one "secret design". The "gadget" still does the same thing as the original: nothing. Give it a squeeze, and a little bean face pops out – a wee diversion for the stressed-out or the really easily amused. (It is cute, though, and oddly addictive, say owners.)

If the toy doesn't interest your serious sensibilities, the numbers might: BANDAI says it's reaching its 1 million unit sales goal for the Mugen Edamame in only two months, and with the help of the new "rare breeds'", expects to sell a total 1.5 million by September. At JPY630 a pop, that's JPY945 million – almost US$10 million – for a keychain! (BANDAI also reports that the beans' predecessor, a popping fake bubble wrap novelty called "Mugen Puchi-Puchi", has sold 2.5 million units at JPY819 each.)

More info: http://www.bandai.co.jp/releases/J2008062401.html
http://www.asovision.com/edamame/chinshu.html
Original Mugen Edamame:
http://www.tekronomicon.com/gadget/2008/04/mugen_edamame_provides_bean_p...
http://www.asovision.com/edamame/
Be sure to catch the movie too: http://www.asovision.com/edamame/movie.html

During a Q&A session at NTT DOCOMO's shareholder meeting on June 20, an executive fielded a question about DOCOMO selling the iPhone 3G, aggressively holding up the company's touch-panel phones as fully able to stave off the iPhone, while noting that DOCOMO remains in talks with Apple.

New CEO Ryuji Yamada, appointed that same day, offered a little more detail in June 23. Admitting to surprise at the 3G's low hardware price, he noted the device's appeal while reiterating the strength of DOCOMO's offerings: "I think the young user segment is seeing the iPhone as attractive. Everyone looked at it with wonder when it was introduced last year, but DOCOMO has also introduced touch-panel models like the PRADA Phone and the SH906i."

On whether the iPhone will sell in Japan: "We won't know until sales begin. Naturally, I think users will swamp shops upon release, but how long will it sell in Japan? We'll be watching closely."

On working with Apple: "We haven't given up on offering the iPhone. But our discussions with Apple are under confidentiality agreements, so I can't clarify anything now."

http://k-tai.impress.co.jp/cda/article/news_toppage/40543.html (Japanese)

A quick listing of the challenges facing the phone:

The downsides for users everywhere

• The camera specs are mediocre. 5 megapixels is popping up a lot in mobiles in Japan (though it's by no means universal; the iPhone still has plenty of 2-megapixel company)
• The battery isn't swappable. (Note: the iPhone 3G is sporting visible screws on the bottom, a rarity for an Apple product; is that a sign that a battery swap will at least be an easy job for a phone shop?)
• No removable media

The downsides more specific to Japan

• No One-seg TV tuner
• No Felica e-wallet function

Market challenges

• Everyone in Japan has a cell phone; the cost to switch can be high
• Many also have iPods with photo/video functions
• Mobile music/video download services are well-established here

Wireless Watch notes that many Japanese are buying one simple mobile for calls and email, and a second high-end model for video, photos, gaming, etc. The iPhone is such a high-end phone, and it offers some great features in that niche - but as noted above, it's missing some features users will expect from a high-end phone.
http://www.japaninc.com/ww175

Standout features

• Interface. It's a single bullet point, but a big one. Will users here go nuts over that touch-enabled goodness?
• iPod / PDA. Yes, cell phones in Japan have music/video players and web browsers, but the iPhone promises to blow those away.  
• The iPhone App store. DoCoMo's iAppli applets and the like are familiar to users here; will polished, big-screen applications from the App Store become the talk of Japan?
• Integration with computers. There are plenty of software packages in Japan for syncing cell phones with PCs; time will show whether the iPhone's approach is considered better.

The questions:

• How good is the Japanese input system? Will it delight or frustrate users? ("Good, but different" may not be ideal.)
• Will other partners come on board?

As Wireless Watch notes, Apple's partner Softbank Mobile commands less than 20% of the market. Apple still needs DoCoMo to reach the masses - though it's worth noting that switching carriers (from DoCoMo to Softbank) is easier than ever, thanks to the number portability system that lets users keep their old number.

More to come

What do you think of the iPhone 3G's future in Japan? Be heard in the poll and comments!

BUFFALO and Bandai have released two models in the new "SWATTEARS" line of character-shaped USB memory: classic hero Ultraman, and Evangelion heroine Rei Ayanami. Bend the characters' legs into "sitting" position to reveal the USB memory stick for plugging into your computer. Or use the included USB cable, which has a "sofa" on the end to seat the character. (The "SWATTEARS" moniker apparently comes from "suwatte iru" or "sitting".) Don't you sit still, though, character fans: only 3000 units each will be made. JPY2980.
http://buffalo.jp/products/catalog/flash/swattears/