New Apple iPad Hits Japanese Market

Apple's new iPad hit Japanese market on March 16, 2012 featuring a faster processor, a sharper high-resolution display and voice dictation which recognizes English, French, German and Japanese.

The third-generation iPad, released about 11 months after the iPad 2 hit the market, comes in two models, a basic model with wireless Internet access as well as a model capable of next-generation 4G Long Term Evolution (LTE) high-speed service with Wi-Fi.

But media reported that the new model will only be capable of 3G mobile data connection in Japan as Softbank Mobile Corp., the sole Japanese carrier marketing the iPad, does not offer LTE service currently.

The Wi-Fi model is priced at 42,800 yen (about $512), while the 3G model with Wi-Fi will be offered free of charge for its 16-gigabyte type with a two-year contract, according to Softbank.

The new iPad will be sold at Apple stores, branches of Softbank Mobile and some electronics retailers in Japan.