Japan embraces the iPhone
In some ways, the iPhone is a step backward for Japan, where the masses are accustomed to using their mobile phones for everything from watching television to buying Royal Milk Tea from vending machines. But the iPhone 2.0’s lack of such modern conveniences failed to deter the more than 1,000 people who waited patiently overnight ...
In some ways, the iPhone is a step backward for Japan, where the masses are accustomed to using their mobile phones for everything from watching television to buying Royal Milk Tea from vending machines. But the iPhone 2.0's lack of such modern conveniences failed to deter the more than 1,000 people who waited patiently overnight outside the Softbank Mobile store in Tokyo to get their hands on Apple's latest device for the first time. Softbank CEO Masayoshi Son, the richest man in Japan, hailed it as "a historic day."
It's hard to tell from the photo below, but it looks like this guy is so excited, he's made himself an iPhone hat. Either that, or he's wearing a visor and leaning against a very clean glass window:
TOKYO - JULY 11: A man waits to buy the newly released Apple iPhone as he queues on the first day of its Japanese launch outside SoftBank Mobile's flagship store. (Photo by Kiyoshi Ota/Getty Images)
In some ways, the iPhone is a step backward for Japan, where the masses are accustomed to using their mobile phones for everything from watching television to buying Royal Milk Tea from vending machines. But the iPhone 2.0’s lack of such modern conveniences failed to deter the more than 1,000 people who waited patiently overnight outside the Softbank Mobile store in Tokyo to get their hands on Apple’s latest device for the first time. Softbank CEO Masayoshi Son, the richest man in Japan, hailed it as “a historic day.”
It’s hard to tell from the photo below, but it looks like this guy is so excited, he’s made himself an iPhone hat. Either that, or he’s wearing a visor and leaning against a very clean glass window:
TOKYO – JULY 11: A man waits to buy the newly released Apple iPhone as he queues on the first day of its Japanese launch outside SoftBank Mobile’s flagship store. (Photo by Kiyoshi Ota/Getty Images)
More from Foreign Policy
Is Cold War Inevitable?
A new biography of George Kennan, the father of containment, raises questions about whether the old Cold War—and the emerging one with China—could have been avoided.
So You Want to Buy an Ambassadorship
The United States is the only Western government that routinely rewards mega-donors with top diplomatic posts.
Can China Pull Off Its Charm Offensive?
Why Beijing’s foreign-policy reset will—or won’t—work out.
Turkey’s Problem Isn’t Sweden. It’s the United States.
Erdogan has focused on Stockholm’s stance toward Kurdish exile groups, but Ankara’s real demand is the end of U.S. support for Kurds in Syria.
Sign up for Morning Brief
Foreign Policy’s flagship daily newsletter with what’s coming up around the world today. Delivered weekdays.
By submitting your email, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use and to receive email correspondence from us. You may opt out at any time.
