The Mac Observer brings you Mac Observer Reports for extended coverage of important Mac issues.

The Japan Report

Our story from a Japanese reader drew an outpouring of Observer reports from all over Japan. Almost all of them said that they are seeing something other than what our first Observer sees. Plentiful iMacs, plentiful software, and plentiful people wanting to buy both iMacs and software. With MacWorld Tokyo coming up in a few days, we expect for there to be even more good news coming from Japan. Judging by the nature of the reports that came in, it seems that the Rural regions of Japan may in fact be just as Carlos described in our original posting while the major metropolitan areas are actually doing well.

One thing that we find very interesting is the common thread of suggestions for Apple to release a "Hello Kitty" themed iMac. The thought goes that a pink "Hello Kitty" iMac would appeal to Japanese girls even more than the Bondi-blue and candy colored models do today and sellout quicker than one can say "Goodbye Windows." Perhaps our readers at Apple can pass this on to Steve Jobs. :-)

Thanks to all the Observers who have written to us. The Mac community in Japan is just as viable as it is in the rest of the world, if not more so!

A Personal Account Of MacWorld Expo Tokyo - 2/24/99 Things Look Good In Japan Part VI- Sales People Everywhere - 2/8/99 Things Look Good In Japan Part V- Make The P1 In Different Colors Too - 2/8/99 Things Look Good In Japan Part IV- Not Enough English Software/Hello Kitty iMac - 2/8/99 Things Look Good In Japan Part III - iMacs Plentiful, Selling Well - 2/8/99 Things Look Good In Japan Part II - Canadian Says Japan Is Better Than Home - 2/8/99 Things Look Good In Japan Part I - Mac Store "The Place" To Be - 2/8/99 A Japanese Observer Says "You Got It Wrong!" - 2/5/99 The iMac Kicks Butt In Japan Too - 2/4/99