Man, that's one tough market.  They got some great toys on great systems
in Japan.....unlike the USA.

http://www.slashphone.com/71/5421.html

www.boohooforyou.com:
"And here's their list of twenty reasons why we (USA) suck:

   1. mobile wallet 2. MANGA on mobile 3. mobile check-in at airports 4.
mobile keys for door 5. mobile employee badges 6. mobile cinema tickets
7. mobile transport passes 8. fingerprint authentication 9. face
recognition/authentication 10. mobile discount/promotion coupons 11.
scented phones 12. mobile fashion consultant 13. mobile live TV 14. wii-
like mobile phones (motion-sensor) 15. physical bookmarks for mobiles
(shops) 16. privacy screens 17. 1D and 2D codes for marketing and even on
fruit and veg labels 18. mobile GPS navigation for pedestrians 19.
electric wave posters (uses RFiD) 20. waterproof phones"

These are features Japanese customers EXPECT.  What are they gonna think
of an iPhone that can't even unlock their car/house door or get them on
the fast train?  Mobile phones are a virtual bank machine in Japan.

http://cellphones.techfresh.net/cell-phones/pda-phones-smartphones/new-
willcom-03-windows-mobile-61-smartphone/

Then, here's their other problem.  While Apple/ATT are struggling to get
some kind of limited, city-only 3G on the air, Japan ALREADY has 4G
covering most of the islands:
http://www.unstrung.com/document.asp?doc_id=154406

The American carrier footdragging makes American phones all "old", even
before they are released to the very-savvy Japanese geek public.

I wish 'em luck......