During the trip, Cook tweeted out a “good morning†message in Japanese and posted two images, one with Miyamoto and the other acknowledging that he had used Apple Pay to ride Japan’s famous Yamanote transit line.
Cook also met Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, telling Xinhuanet:
We talked about the future and doing great things together. I shared with prime minister Abe our love for Japan and how important the country is to Apple.
In the June quarter, Apple product sales in Japan accounted for eight percent of its total global revenue.
The CEO has confirmed that Apple would complete its construction of a site in Yokohama, just outside of Tokyo, by December and that it would be used as a development facility.
As for Apple Pay’s public launch for Miyamoto commuters, it’s due soon. “Can’t wait for our customers in Japan to start using it later this month,†wrote Cook.
Apple’s boss invited Miyamoto to present Super Marion Run at the iPhone 7 press conference last month. Miyamoto appeared on stage to standing ovation from the audience. Aside from Super Mario Run, Nintendo and DeNA have confirmed plans to release Animal Crossing and Fire Emblem on the iOS platform this fall.
As a Creative Fellow, a title Nintendo assigned to him in September 2015, Miyamoto now oversees and manages the company’s Entertainment Analysis & Development division, which is behind many of Nintendo’s first-party titles.
Cook also said that he hopes the new R&D center will help Apple build partnerships with local companies, which could then help Apple source components directly.
[via Xinhua; Macotakara]]
