世論 What Japan Thinks

Despite some mediocre reviews Apple’s new iPhone has been apparently flying off the shelves in the USA, and judging by this survey, many in Japan are hoping for an early release in this country too. This was revealed in a survey recently reported on by japan.internet.com and conducted by JR Tokai Express Research Inc on the topic of Apple’s iPhone

Demographics

On the 6th of July 2007 331 members of the JR Tokai Express Research online monitor panel employed in private industry or local or national government successfully completed a private internet-based questionnaire. 76.1% were male, 11.5% in their twenties, 44.4% in their thirties, 32.3% in their forties, 8.5% in their fifties, and 3.3% in their sixties.

I think personally that the iPhone would not do well in its current state in Japan. First and foremost, the lack of 3G speed would be a major issue for many mobile web users. Second, given that most people are used to the designed-to-fit experience of mobile-targeted sites, a full browser is perhaps not all that necessary. Third, Japanese on the whole do not use nor perhaps want SmartPhones; there is no significant Palm or Blackberry-using demographic that need the business-like features. Fourth, and perhaps the biggest deal-breaker, there is no hook to hang your dangly thingies off!

Research results

Q1: Have you heard the word “iPhone”? (Sample size=331)

Heard of it	84.3%
Not heard of it	15.7%

The various special feature applications of the iPhone were described to the respondents, namely music, video, three-way calling, visual voicemail, SMS, photos, and maps, then they were asked to choose which they would want to use. Top was Google Maps-based application, with 75.5% expressing an interest, then 57.4% wanting music, then 55.6% wanting the photograph album. The rest had less than 50% interest. The detailed results for the top choice were as follows:

Q2: Would you want to use the Maps application? (Sample size=331)

Want to use	75.5%
Don’t want to use	9.1%
Don’t know	15.4%

Q3: If Apple’s iPhone was on sale in Japan, would you want to buy it? (Sample size=331)

Want to buy	40.2%
Don’t want to buy	16.6%
Don’t know	43.2%