Of the three Japanese cellphone providers, Softbank has always been strikingly different from competitors AU and DoCoMo. Softbank ran pricing schemes that undercut their competitors, focusing on short-term cellphone users: teenagers and foreigners. Both of these groups needed a cellphone in order to survive, but didn't have a ton of money to spend. The only option would normally be to sign up for a two-year contract with AU or DoCoMo, but then Softbank started offering six month plans and low-cost plans with no frills.

This built up a huge following for Softbank, allowing them to start offering things like the Char Phone. Well, for those who want a phone that's a little less otaku-y but still hurts the wallet, Softbank has announced that they'll be bringing Apple's iPhone to the island nation. There's no word yet on pricing, release date (other than "this year"), and whether or not the deal is exclusive. We just know that Softbank is the first company to be doing so.

Surely, a frenzy will be afoot. Japan already has a love obsession with Apple, as you can see with the abundance of MacBooks and iPods. People have even gotten robbed for having an iPhone-looking device. Danny, I don't think Stormtrooper armor is going to protect you from the rabid Apple fans of Japan. Be careful out there.

How many of you are reading Japanator from your iPhone right now?