Apple Increases Pricing for iPhones and iPads in Japan
Apple's Apple products in Japan are seeing a rise in prices, with the iPhone 13 leading the charge. The third-generation iPhone SE, for instance, has gone up from 57,800 yen ($423) to 62,800 yen ($459), while the iPhone13 Pro's entry-level model has jumped from 122,800 yen ($899) to 144,800 yen ($1,060). This price increase isn't just limited to new models; even older iPhones like the SE and Pro have felt the pinch.
The reason behind this hike? The falling value of the Yen, as well as the introduction of new local tax regulations and foreign exchange rate fluctuations. Apple, worth an impressive $2.2 trillion, hasn't commented on the matter yet.
Comparing these prices to the United States paints an interesting picture. While the iPhone SE (third-generation) costs $429 in the U.S., it sets you back 62,800 yen in Japan. The iPhone 13 Pro, priced at $999 in the U.S., costs 144,800 yen in Japan. Even the iPad Air, priced at 106,800 yen in Japan, is a mere $749 in the U.S.
But this isn't the first time Apple has adjusted its prices in Japan. In 2016, prices were reduced due to currency fluctuations. It seems the recent rise in the U.S. dollar against the Japanese Yen, which is up 18%, has prompted this latest price hike.
Apple isn't the only one raising prices. Consumer prices have been on the rise in Japan, and companies like convenience store franchise Lawson Inc. and brewery company Asahi Group Holdings Ltd. have followed suit. However, Apple is one of the first major tech companies to take this step.
The enrichment data suggests that these price adjustments are due to changes in local tax regulations and foreign exchange rate fluctuations, as well as the implementation of a new tax policy requiring Apple to collect and remit a 10% Japanese Consumption Tax (JCT) on behalf of non-Japanese developers starting April 1, 2025. The specific price adjustments vary, with the iPhone 13's 4GB, 128GB model priced lower in Japan than internationally due to the new tax requirements.
The rise in Apple's product prices in Japan, led by the iPhone 13, can be attributed to multiple factors such as the falling value of the Yen, new local tax regulations, and foreign exchange rate fluctuations. Despite the price hike, Apple's iPhone 13 Pro's entry-level model now costs 790 dollars more in Japan compared to the United States. The tech giant isn't the only company experiencing price increases; even older models like the iPhone SE and Pro have seen price increases.
