Admittedly, mobile users in the U.S. can't help but fall in love with the hip and ultra-cool iPhone. As Steve Jobs and his gang venture the high-tech world of Japan, will they stand a chance against hyper competition and strong innovators?

This is an interesting question raised in an article by Business Week. Japan's 98 million cell-phone users are used to new ultra-gadgets sprouting from almost everywhere.

Japan's 10 handset makers, which dominate the domestic market, already offer dozens of models typically costing several hundred dollars that send e-mail, browse the Internet, shoot photos and videos, and even pick up live TV broadcasts. Most come with a built-in global positioning system, and some even double as credit cards and commuter passes or safeguard personal data using fingerprint or face-recognition technology.

Another hurdle in Apple's bold invasion in this Asian territory is finding the right partner. On the bright side, iPod owns 50% market share in the portable media players market despite hundreds of competitors.

Will this create a halo effect on iPhone? Buckle up, hold tight but don't close your eyes, folks. This will be another helluva roller-coaster ride in the Kamikaze world of Steve Jobs and Apple.

via MoCoNews