As some other rumor/news site noted, Japan doesn't have an EDGE network, so they'd need a 3G iPhone for this to work.

Interesting. Veeeeeeeery interesting.

I just hope that Apple isn't so wedded to the idea of pulling as much of the cell operators fees to itself as it seems to be, thereby losing the biggest operator for a far smaller one. This nonsense it costing Apple long term, for shorter term profits.

I can understand Apple asking, and receiving, a fee for all users who come from other networks. That's fine, Many industries have this sort of "finders fee". But, if it's true that Apple demands up to 30% of the monthly charges, it's absurd!

This is a toll, not only for the carrier, but for the users, which are also Apple's customers, because the cell operators must pass most, if not all, of that along.

This may keep the iPhone out of the Chinese market, which, I see from reading, is the second largest cell market in the world. And the Chinese, despite the lower income of the middle classes, and tech crowd, does buy expensive phones, and the iPhone, in unofficial form, has been doing very well over there.

I'm still waiting for a rumour that Steve is flying to Australia to tell his compatriot Sol to get his company's head out of MS arse and support the iPhone!

Japan is at least close to the same time zone as us. This will save some extra jet lag

2G 3G who cares, just release the phone over here already!

oh and while you're at it, movies and tv shows on iTunes would be nice

Love Pete

this should have been AU/KDDI from the start.

What's up with us, Canadians?

We've been left aside from rumors for a long time now. It seams that nobody care about us anymore.

Please, Steve, I know it may be hard to like Ted Rogers (and I don't like it too) but make an effort!

When we want to do business here in Canada, we look south in the first thing, not in Japan or the UK. We're too close. We're you brotha, aren't we?