Apple iPad to be Sim-locked in Japan

Apple has made a surprise switch in its policy regarding the iPad for Japan.

Previously it was thought that all iPads would be Sim-unlocked in every country across the globe. Mainly because Steve Jobs had said as much when the gadget was initially unveiled.

But it has emerged that this won’t be the case in Japan, where the 3G version of the tablet will locked into operator Softbank Mobile.

Main rival operator DoCoMo won’t get a look in, which has angered many Apple fans over in the far east.

The iPad goes on sale in Japan on the same date it’s out in the UK – May 28th. Although as we’ve mentioned previously, pre-orders now appear to have slipped due to stock issues in this country.

If you pre-order now, your Apple iPad may not ship until June 7th, so you’re still in for a bit of a wait.

Given all the previous delays, however, that should be something we’re all used to by now.