In an interview reported by The Wall Street Journal  on Tuesday, Yamada said the “closed operating system of the iPhone,” which prevents the carrier from pre-loading apps like its e-wallet and i-mode email service, doesn’t work for NTT DoCoMo. The reason that’s a problem? Those software additions are “important for Japanese customers.”

Of course, if that were true, there would be no problem with simply providing instructions detailing how to download the apps from the App Store to iPhone buyers post-purchase. Clearly, if the software was so desirable, customers wouldn’t mind a little legwork to get them. But the reason NTT DoCoMo (and all carriers) want to pre-load software onto devices is to give them more control over the customer and their spending practices.

Apple was instrumental in loosening the hold carriers had on content and access to services on cellular devices. Anyone over 25 remembers a time when if you wanted to browse the web on your phone, you used a terrible, limited, proprietary browser managed by your carrier that probably only provided access to select sites. Music stores, ringtones, wallpapers, etc.: All were once the exclusive province of your network provider. On Android devices, the situation isn’t quite that dire, but the presence of half-hearted attempts at carrier-branded stores and software is still a depressing reminder of a far less free mobile past.

Apple changed all that with the iPhone, which shipped with no pre-loaded carrier software, provided unfettered access to the web, and with the App Store, introduced a litany of choice when it came to services like navigation, another area once notoriously dominated on mobile devices by network operators.

Another reason cited by Yamada for not picking up the iPhone is Apple’s extraordinary upfront commitment requirement. The volume of device orders Apple insists on means carriers have to promote the iPhone heavily, which could result in a huge percentage of its subscribers on Apple devices. That in turn leads to less control of the customer relationship through measures like the aforementioned branded bloatware.

If it simply wanted to extend its reach as far and as wide as possible, Apple could ease its restrictions and allow carriers to preinstall an app or two. That would go a long way toward making its other conditions more palatable to network operators. But instead, the iPhone maker clearly wants to maintain complete control of its product, even if that means throwing back a big fish like NTT DoCoMo.

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Japan’s early-warning system for earthquakes is the “most advanced in the world,” according to Time magazine, and with the change, iPhones will be able to receive messages broadcast by the service that are pushed to devices by the carriers. Previously, third-party apps provided a similar function, but Apple’s making this a system-level tool will ensure that if users want to receive those notifications, they won’t have to make sure that an app is running in the background or that they have installed a specific app.

The iPhone is far from the first device on the Japanese market to plug into the earthquake-early-warning system. Feature phones in Japan have offered a similar ability for years. But it is a sign that Apple is willing to make modifications to its iOS software that are regionally specific when it comes to safety issues. Other places in the world, including Mexico, also have early-warning systems in place for earthquakes and other natural disasters like tsunamis and tidal waves. California is set to see its own early-detection system up and running sometime around 2013. Emergency notification alerts about things like wildfires that are triggered based on your device’s location might also prove effective in helping people steer clear of danger.

Apple probably can institute similar tools the world over, but whether it will is another question entirely. In Japan, the service is offered on many other devices, so there’s a clear precedent. In other parts of the world, such precedents might not exist, and such a system might even encourage some to sue or seek damages if warnings don’t work properly or fail to prevent injury.

Since people are turning more and more toward smartphones and away from broadcast sources for news and information, I think opt-in OS-level warning and notification systems for things like dangerous weather systems and natural disasters is a great idea. Here’s hoping this addition to iOS 5 is a first sign that Apple agrees.

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Softbank’s net income for its first fiscal quarter of this year was ¥94.79 billion ($1.22 billion U.S.), which is up from ¥19.44 billion (around $250 million U.S. with current exchange rates) for the same period in 2010. Softbank says smartphones in general helped raise revenue, but the carrier has exclusive rights to sell the iPhone in Japan, where Apple is still the leading smartphone manufacturers by a wide margin.

Sales of Apple hardware may be contributing quite a bit to Softbank’s bottom line, but it also helps by increasing the average revenue per user (ARPU) for Softbank customers. Data ARPU climbed to a record high ¥2,440 per subscriber per month on average, putting it first overall in the world among mobile operators when it comes to the ratio of data to traditional cellular services ARPU. This is a significant victory as smartphones and apps encourage greater use of data in situations where previously voice or text played a more significant role.

Softbank CEO Masayoshi Son told TeleGeography in an interview that he believes Apple’s smartphone is only getting started, and stands to benefit from the general rise in smartphone popularity. Specifically, Son said “the iPhone’s strength is standing out the more people come to use smartphones,” suggesting that the iPhone’s advantages stand out better when compared to its competitors.

This represents only the latest in a string of very strong quarters for Softbank since the iPhone’s release on the network. So far, there’s no official indication that Softbank’s exclusive deal with Apple in Japan will end, and I’m sure that based on these results, that’s something the carrier is very happy about.

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The specific parts iSuppli has been able to identify as mostly likely sourced from Japan include NAND flash from Toshiba Corp., DRAM from Elpida Memory Inc. and touch screen overlay glass for the display likely made by Asahi Glass Co. The battery (from Apple Japan Inc.) and electronic compass (from  AKM Semiconductor) are also produced by Japanese suppliers, and are so specialized they could be quite hard to replace from suppliers located elsewhere.

Other components may have been sourced in Japan besides those identified above, but the teardown process isn’t always capable of identifying the country of origin of all parts, iSuppli cautioned. It also noted at least a few of Apple’s Japanese suppliers reported that their facilities didn’t sustain any damage as a result of the earthquake, but that problems with logistics and other factors could still affect the supply chain at those facilities.

iSuppli also noted that semiconductor facilities in Japan, at least, can’t recommence full production until all aftershocks have stopped. According to Dale Ford of IHS, which acquired iSuppli in 2010:

Earthquakes ranging from 4 to 7 on the Richter scale will make it impossible to really restart these fabs until the earthquakes stop happening with such frequency. Every time a quake tops 5, the equipment automatically shuts down.

Apple can find alternate sourcing for NAND memory, including South Korea’s Samsung corporation and the U.S.-based Micron Technology. Samsung can also provide the DRAM, but when it comes to the other major Japanese-made components, finding a suitable replacement may not be so easy.

The electronic compass found in the iPad 2 is apparently calibrated very specifically to work with the tablet’s accelerometer and gyroscope, and is highly sensitive to electromagnetic interference. According to IHS, this means it can’t just be swapped out for a similar product from another manufacturer.

The glass used to protect the iPad’s touchscreen is thought to be the new Asahi Glass Dragontail product, which is stronger than the glass used in the original iPad. If Asahi is indeed the supplier, it would pose problems, because the company has reported damage to three of its facilities in Japan. Since the glass is a proprietary product, sourcing alternatives might lead to variances in quality.

Finally, the iPad 2′s battery, while labeled as “assembled” in China,” looks to actually be made by Apple’s Japanese subsidiary. IHS Senior Analyst Wayne Lam explains why Apple may have had to stick with in-house manufacturing for this particular component, making it difficult if not impossible to have it built elsewhere:

Typically, battery cells are made at the site of assembly but because the iPad 2’s lithium-ion polymer battery is unusually thin, it likely requires advanced battery cell manufacturing technologies that reside in Japan.

Obviously, iPad 2 supply levels are the least of Japan’s worries right now, but this could mean that Apple will have trouble meeting customer demand in the U.S., and might even lead to a general postponement of the international launch of Apple’s latest tablet. Apple’s share value dipped earlier on the week, due partially to supply fears, and while prices recovered yesterday, this latest report won’t do much to allay those fears, either. We reached out to Apple for comment, but have yet to hear back.

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It may not seem like much, but Lunascape is prepared to donate up to ¥5 million  (roughly $64,000) as a result of iLunascape app downloads. The company has already donated 1 million yen (or around $13,000) before even beginning this campaign, and intends to begin rolling out donation buttons and links in its products and webpages in the coming days. All funds raised will be donated to the Japanese Red Cross and other similar relief organizations under the name “Friends of Lunascape.”

iLunascape is an iOS web browser alternative that provides true tabbed browsing, the ability to grab website screenshots, and its own special “InReach” interface that brings many commonly used controls within easy reach of a user’s thumbs down near the bottom of the device screen. The iPhone and iPad versions are two separate apps, so presumably downloading each will trigger a separate donation, meaning you can download up to about $1.20 just by taking a few quick seconds to install a couple free apps. Even if you don’t have either iOS device, grab it from iTunes: a download’s a download.

If you’re interested in seeing how far along towards its ¥6 million goal (1 million already donated and 5 million in potential downloads resulting from app downloads) Lunascape is tracking its progress over at its official donation page. The campaign begins today and lasts a full month, so you’ve got plenty of time to spread the word to any iPhone or iPad-toting friends.

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All sales of any of the company’s software between 10:00 a.m., March 17 and 10:00 a.m., March 18 (PDT) will be donated directly to a mix of the Japanese Red Cross Society and the Mercy Corps based in Portland, Ore. That includes both sales on Panic’s own site and sales made through the Mac App Store, and absolutely 100 percent of proceeds will be donated.

By purchasing any of Panic’s applications today, not only are you getting some great software, but you’ll also be helping out a country in need of a helping hand at the moment. In Panic founder Cabel Sasser’s own words:

You might be sick of it — being told to donate to a charity. If you’re like me, donating to a charity is an abstract, disconnected affair. So, we thought we’d make it a little more tangible, allowing you to help Japan directly while getting Panic software with one swift click.

Sasser also explains that there’s a very personal reason why Panic wants to do what it can to help:

Nobuhiro, who runs Panic Japan, packed up his wife and two kids in his home town of Kashiwa, and, after finding gas, drove them to Nagoya, far from the looming threat of a legitimate nuclear disaster. Kenichi, our icon genius, was, amazingly, right here in Portland when everything hit, and he watched it unfold stunned and disconnected: just the latest Bruckheimer production in a tiny streaming video window. He’s now on his way back to Nagoya. And while part of me wonders if he’s headed in the wrong direction, when he e-mailed me the latest ultrasound sent from his pregnant wife (it’s a boy!), I knew he was right.

If you’ve been waiting to buy any of Panic’s applications, there’s no better time than right now. Even if you only buy something small such as CandyBar, you’ll be doing your bit to help out. Why not take the opportunity to download any applications you already own, but from the Mac App Store, to make updating and installation on multiple computers easier?

Have you heard of any other generous developers helping the Japan relief effort? Let us know in the comments.

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Donate Through iTunes

Apple is accepting donations through the iTunes music store on behalf of Japan. Just open up iTunes on your Mac, navigate to the Store in the source menu and click on the “Japan Earthquake and Tsunami Relief Donate Here” button, or simply click this link to be taken to the donation page. You can contribute anywhere from $5 to $200 here, and 100 percent of your money goes directly to the American Red Cross’ disaster relief efforts.

Donate Directly From the iPhone

If you’re using your iPhone or iPad, unfortunately the above link doesn’t work and Apple isn’t offering a donation page on those devices as of yet, but you can text REDCROSS to 90999 from your iPhone to give $10 to the American Red Cross.

Support App Developers Helping Out

Some App Store developers and publishers are donating the entire proceeds of sales of their apps to the Japanese relief efforts for a limited time. Capcom is donating all proceeds from the sale of Super Street Fighter IV for the iPhone, which currently sells for $0.99 in the App Store, from Mar. 15 to Mar. 21. Japanese developer Motion Portrait, which has 12 iPhone apps for sale, has reduced the price of each to $0.99 and is donating 100 percent of the proceeds from all sales to relief efforts between now and Mar. 31. Tunemark Radio for the iPad is also donating all proceeds of the sales of its $0.99 app to the Red Cross and Salvation Army in support of Japan through Mar. 20. Zynga is turning in-app purchases into donation tools, by donating 100 percent of the proceeds from various in-game items in its FarmVille, CityVille and FrontierVille titles to relief efforts.

AppRelief.com operated as a central hub for disaster relief efforts originating from App Store sales last year when Haiti was struck, raising more than $30,000, and the site’s organizers have announced plans to put together a Japan-focused campaign soon, so watch that space for more apps joining in.

Apple itself is helping directly, too, as you can read in this amazing story from an Apple Store employee living in Japan posted on Kevin Rose’s personal blog. If you have any other relief efforts you know of, or just other ways for people to help, let us know in the comments.

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NHK World TV Live provides live, Japan-based coverage streaming over both Wi-Fi and 3G connections. It’s an iPhone and iPod touch-specific app, but it runs just fine on the iPad in 2x compatibility mode. Our hearts and thoughts go out to the Japanese people as they do their best to cope with this disaster.

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Impress R&D, a Tokyo-based research firm, released a report this week that places the iPhone well ahead of the competition with 46 percent of the Japanese smartphone market. That’s a ridiculously high number, especially when you compare it to the iPhone’s rather modest second place in market share in the U.S.

The 46 percent figure is a combined total of both the iPhone 3G and the iPhone 3GS, which account for 24.6 and 21.5 percent of the market, respectively. Up next closest is the Sharp WillCOM W-Zero 3 Advance, with 14.6 percent. The BlackBerry doesn’t do nearly as well in Japan as it does here, with the Bold accounting for a mere 1.2 percent market share.

These numbers discredit the widespread assumption that the iPhone was having a tough time appealing to Japanese consumers, who have in the past been unreceptive to foreign interlopers in the cell phone market (as evidenced by the BlackBerry’s dismal performance). Wired even went so far as to claim that the Japanese “hated” the iPhone, a stance based on aggressive pricing and giveaways engineered by Japanese iPhone carrier SoftBank. Mobile Crunch sees such efforts as having made the difference between the iPhone and competitors like BlackBerry:

A major reason for this development is the hyper-aggressive marketing strategy SoftBank Mobile, the iPhone’s exclusive carrier, pursues in Japan: TV commercials virtually around the clock, print ads in major media, super-competitive pricing etc. do have an effect, it seems.

On the other hand, I’ve never seen any of this coming from Docomo for Android or BlackBerry, so it’s no wonder virtually no one in Japan (where I live) knows what these devices actually offer – apart from geeks, obviously.

Whatever the reason, Apple’s ability to successfully market itself in established, new and emerging markets outside of the U.S. bode well for its financial future. Winning at home is great, but in today’s economy, if you can win on the road, too, you’ll be much stronger for it.

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CasualGaming.biz details the report, which found that of 102 game studio representatives surveyed, 87 percent responded in the affirmative when asked if they were interested in developing for the iPhone/iPod touch platform. Nearly 20 percent had, in fact, already done so, and another 16 percent already had games in the works. Thirty-eight percent said there was corporate motive, but that they’d yet to make any concrete moves. Maybe they’re holding out to see what exactly iPhone OS 3.0 is capable of.

Either way, the survey reveals other interesting details about why the iPhone is the most popular smartphone platform for development among Japanese game companies — and also about how far behind its competitors are lagging. Android, the next most appealing platform in the survey, garnered interest from only 47 percent of respondents, while the much-hyped Pre intrigued a dismal 6 percent. I suppose not having really seen the device in action in the real world tends to lessen its appeal to profit-driven businesses.

In case Apple wants to increase its developer base, the survey also asked about what were the biggest impediments to iPhone development, and at least one of the answers suggested that Apple is either very clever, or foolishly stubborn. Half of those surveyed felt that the biggest drawback to iPhone development was that they had to do so on a Mac.

So, Apple could probably add even more apps to its extensive library by opening up development to other platforms but, on the other hand, the respondents said it was a drawback; they didn’t say it deterred them completely. The appeal of iPhone development is probably actually driving Mac sales to game studios, which is likely worth more to Apple financially than the addition of yet more content to the already very healthy App Store.

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News broke yesterday that Wal-Mart will indeed be selling Apple’s iPhone, most likely by the end of December. The source of the information is employee training materials, and employees of the U.S.-based retail giant themselves. Wal-Mart is still keeping mum about the news, having made no official statement as of yet.

Early speculation held that the 4GB iPhone would make a return, at a new, $99 price point, designed to attract frugal customers in increasingly uncertain economic times. Today’s reports, supported by a number of sources and documents, maintain that a $99 iPhone is unlikely, and that Wal-Mart will instead offer a $2 discount, selling the 8GB model for $197, including contract discount.

Analyst Andy Hargreaves of Pacific Crest Securities told Reuters that Apple, while unlikely to cut a deal that would affect its profit margins, is probably seeking distribution through Wal-Mart in order to access different market demographics. UBS analyst Maynard Um, on the other hand, thinks a Wal-Mart deal alone will not be enough to broaden the iPhone’s reach, and suggests it should instead be only a first step to even more distribution deals with large retailers.

Details remain unclear, and conflicting reports from various sources indicate that nothing is confirmed, besides the iPhone’s imminent arrival. The arrival date, for instance, is cited by Bloomberg as December 28, but by CNN Money as possibly sometime before Christmas. Likewise pricing and storage space options, with Boy Genius Reports still maintaining that the $99 4GB model is a possibility.

Apple has refused to comment on any rumors or speculation at this point.

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This time we’re looking at Free RSS Reader, Menstrual Calendar and three freebies from Japanese game shop Hudson Soft.

Hudson Soft have been making fantastic games for quite some time now. From Bomberman, back on the NES in the 80′s, to the super-successful Mario Party series and now, owned by gaming giants Konami, creating titles for the iPhone.  Over in Japan this week, it’s the annual Tokyo Game Show and to celebrate the event, the lovely folks at Hudson Soft have released three games on the App Store for free (until October 12, so grab ‘em now!).

Another App Store Roundup next week, in the meantime check those apps out for yourself and let us know what new apps you’d recommend.

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