Have you ever wondered why Apple is so successful in Japan? Are iOS and macOS devices used more than other operating systems in the country? In this article, we will talk about everything related to Apple in Japan.
Table of Contents
The success of Apple in Japan
Apple is very present in Japan, with nearly 72% of the mobile device market share in Japan belonging to the iPhone and iPad. It’s not the same with macOS, but they are also quite popular.
For every 5 people in Tokyo or Osaka with a phone in hand, 6 are iPhones. Otherwise, it’s some flip phone (which are surprisingly modern with Android and Touchscreen).
Japanese people usually do not like non-Japanese brands; Apple is one of the exceptions. Samsung, despite its global success, may end up falling behind Sony (which is dead) and others.
Currently, the mobile marketing in Japan belongs to the following brands:
| Apple | 63.21% |
|---|---|
| Sony | 9.67% |
| Huawei | 6.52% |
| Samsung | 6.4% |
| Unknown | 4.33% |
| Sharp | 2.54% |
The Japanese like Apple’s Simplicity
One of the predominant cultures in Japan is simplicity and ease. Everything is created to make people’s lives easier, from simple packaging to public transportation systems. They would certainly prefer a standardized interface over a system that is completely different from one another.
It is worth noting that the fact that few Japanese people use laptops and computers makes the mobile phone their main technological tool. Apple offers many advantages to replace a computer system, especially the iPads, which are also quite popular in the hands of the Japanese.
The general population of Japan, who are not accustomed to technology, simply do not know brands of mobile phones like LG, Xiaomi, Motorola, and others, except for Apple. In fact, there are Japanese people who do not even know the Android operating system.
The marketing and popularity of Apple in Japan have been present since the first launches. Many Japanese have become accustomed to its tools and today cannot give them up for something different. So much so that the arguments of some Japanese for using the iPhone do not make much sense.
It is worth remembering that price is not a relevant factor when buying in Japan as it is in Brazil. The Japanese value well-designed physical products and do not worry about the ideology of open software, especially since they do not usually resort to piracy and jailbreaks.
Apple in Japan is cheaper than the competition
I don’t think the Japanese buy Apple products because they are cool or want to show off like Brazilians do. Unlike the reality in Brazil, Apple in Japan can actually be cheaper than other competitors. I myself was one who migrated to Apple after it became the most affordable option compared to Microsoft and Samsung.
When it comes to mobile devices, the plans offered by carriers always prioritize an iPhone, making it super accessible along with the plan. The purchasing power and the affordable price allow Apple devices to be widely marketed among the entire Japanese population.
I remember paying ¥56,000 for an iPad Pro while an equivalent Samsung tablet cost over ¥80,000 yen. Not to mention used iPads that can be found in the range of ¥20,000.
With less than a Japanese minimum wage, you can buy a MacBook or an iMac, while in Brazil we need a year’s salary. Deciding between Apple and another brand in Japan is just a matter of taste and not price.
The Price of Apple in Japan
Talking about prices is quite relative, as this tends to change depending on hardware specifications, year of release, whether it is new or used, or if it was obtained through some type of plan and discount. Therefore, the price table below is estimates for new products:
To get an equivalent in dollars, just place a comma after two zeros. 100 yen is approximately equivalent to 0.96 USD. For example: 100,000 yen is worth about 1,000.00 dollars.
| Product | Price in Yen |
| MacMini | 72,000 – 120,000 |
| iPad (+Air) | 40,000 to 65,000 |
| iPad Pro | 60,000 to 120,000 |
| MacBook | 100,000 to 130,000 |
| iMac | 120,000 to 300,000 |
| MacBook Pro | 134,000 to 280,000 |
| iMacPro | 300,000 to 1,000,000 |
| iPhone | 70,000 to 150,000 |
| iPhone (PRO) Max | 80,000 to 170,000 |
| Apple Watch | 40,000 to 75,000 |
It is worth noting that Japanese carriers often sell iPhones cheaper and exclusively tied to a plan or not. Unlike Brazil, most Japanese opt for some monthly phone plan. Unlocked iPhones in Japan are much more expensive, exceeding 1,000 dollars.
If you are looking for used Apple products, you can find good deals for less than 50,000 yen. Some iPads can even be found for as low as 20,000 yen in good condition.
Apple’s Marketing is Strong in Japan
No matter where you look, especially in big cities, Apple’s marketing is gigantic, starting with its sophisticated and modern stores that stand out in the big neighborhoods.
Television, train stations, everywhere we see Apple’s marketing easily winning over young Japanese people. Whether a fan of Apple or not, its omnipresence in Japan is quite noticeable.
When Apple entered Japan, it came in full force, without even giving space for the Android operating system. It simply wiped out the native operating systems of Japan. It took a long time for Android to make a market in Japan; even so, its reach is still low and limited.
Even some schools in Japan often suggest iPads for students. When watching anime, it is common to find only iOS devices, flip phones, or some smartphone from Sony and Huawei. I believe that for a long time, Apple will continue to be a priority, even if it takes a while to update its hardware, I still consider its software unbeatable.
The iPhone established itself in Japan before Android
When the iPhone was launched, Softbank was in second place in the market and was looking for an advantage to reach first. Thus, Apple and Softbank joined in an exclusive contract, and both gained a significant boost over Android.
Even before Android spread, the iPhone was practically the first to arrive after flip phones. The simple fact that Japanese people constantly use public transportation further increased the need for a new system that had maps and integrated payments. Apple was the pioneer, which is why it dominated Japan.
After a few years, when it became clear that the iPhone was saturating only at SoftBank, Apple released plans with Docomo and Au, increasing sales.
This exclusive contract with Japanese carriers makes it quite difficult for foreigners traveling to Japan with the intention of buying an iPhone. Generally, unlocked iPhones cost more than those sold in official stores tied to a carrier.
Videos about Apple in Japan
To conclude, we will leave some videos about Apple in Japan:
Leave a Reply