On July 18, Apple raised prices across its Japanese Apple Store for the iPhone, Apple Watch, and AirPods lineup. The move marks another round of 値上げ (neage, price increases) following a similar adjustment for Mac products in June.
Apple Raises iPhone Prices in Japan
According to the announcement, Apple implemented a broad 価格改定 (kakaku kaitei, price revision) for its major devices sold in Japan. While Mac products had already been raised in June, iPhones and related accessories had been excluded at that time—meaning they had 対象外となっていた (taishōgai to natte ita, had been excluded).
Now, that has changed.
New iPhone Starting Prices
Here are the updated スタート価格 (sutāto kakaku, starting prices):
- iPhone 17e: 99,800 yen → 107,800 yen
- iPhone 17: 129,800 yen → 142,800 yen
- iPhone 17 Pro: 179,800 yen → 194,800 yen
- iPhone 17 Pro Max: 194,800 yen → 214,800 yen
- iPhone 17 Air: 159,800 yen → 177,800 yen
Even the previous シリーズ (shirīzu, series), the iPhone 16 and 16 Plus, saw increases:
- iPhone 16: 114,800 yen → 124,800 yen
- iPhone 16 Plus: 129,800 yen → 144,800 yen
Apple Watch and AirPods Also Affected
The price increases extend beyond smartphones.
Apple Watch
- Series 11: 64,800 yen → 71,800 yen
- SE (3rd generation): 37,800 yen → 41,800 yen
- Ultra 3: 129,800 yen → 142,800 yen
AirPods
- AirPods 4 (without ANC / エーエヌシー ē en shī): 21,800 yen → 23,800 yen
- AirPods 4 (with ANC): 29,800 yen → 32,800 yen
- AirPods Pro 3: 39,800 yen → 42,800 yen
Interestingly, the AirPods Max 2 remained 据え置き (sueoki, left unchanged) at 89,800 yen.
Why the Price Increases?
When Apple raised Mac prices in June, the company commented that rising memory and storage costs due to AI demand were a factor.
However, overseas Apple Stores have not seen similar adjustments. Because of that, this latest round of increases is 為替修正によるものと見られる (kawase shūsei ni yoru mono to mirareru)—it is believed to be due to exchange rate adjustments.
That final expression, 〜によるものと見られる, is typical of Japanese news writing. It signals a cautious, analytical tone: “is believed to be due to ~.”
Cultural Context: Exchange Rates and Japan
Japan imports Apple products, and prices are heavily influenced by currency exchange rates between the yen and the US dollar. When the yen weakens, imported goods become more expensive in Japan—even if global prices stay the same.
The fact that overseas Apple Stores did not change prices strengthens the view that this is a currency-related 価格改定 rather than a global strategy shift.
You’ll often see Japanese news emphasize exchange-rate reasoning with phrases like:
- 為替の影響 (kawase no eikyō) – impact of exchange rates
- 円安 (en’yasu) – weak yen
Understanding these economic terms will help you follow tech and business news in Japanese.
Learn Japanese from This Article
Key Vocabulary
| Japanese | Romaji | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 値上げ | neage | price increase |
| 価格改定 | kakaku kaitei | price revision |
| 為替修正 | kawase shūsei | exchange rate adjustment |
| スタート価格 | sutāto kakaku | starting price |
| シリーズ | shirīzu | series (product line) |
| ANC | ē en shī | Active Noise Canceling |
| 据え置き | sueoki | left unchanged (price) |
| 対象外 | taishōgai | excluded |
Notice how many of these words—スタート, シリーズ, and ANC—are written in katakana. Japanese frequently adapts global tech terminology into its own sound system.
Grammar Spotlight
1️⃣ 〜によるものと見られる
Structure: Noun + によるものと見られる
Meaning: “It is believed to be due to ~” (formal news expression)
Example from the article:
- 為替修正によるものと見られる。 Kawase shūsei ni yoru mono to mirareru. It is believed to be due to exchange rate adjustments.
More examples:
- 需要増加によるものと見られる。 Juyō zōka ni yoru mono to mirareru. It is believed to be due to increased demand.
This pattern is extremely common in business and economic reporting.
2️⃣ 〜となっていた
Structure: Noun + となっていた
Meaning: “Had been in the state of ~” (formal written tone)
Example:
- iPhoneなどは対象外となっていた。 iPhone nado wa taishōgai to natte ita. iPhones and others had been excluded.
This phrasing sounds more formal than simply saying だった (datta). You’ll see it constantly in written news.
Useful Expressions for Tech News
- 値上げを行う (neage o okonau) – to carry out a price increase
- 価格を改定する (kakaku o kaitei suru) – to revise prices
- 価格は据え置き (kakaku wa sueoki) – the price remains unchanged
These expressions will help you read real Japanese tech articles without relying on simplified textbook examples.
Continue Learning
Working on your reading skills? Our Katakana Essentials: Adapting Global Words to Japanese lesson is a great next step.
Want to learn more about tech? Check out our lesson on Basic Vocabulary Building: Embracing Words Without Latin Ties.
Want to learn more about tech? Check out our lesson on Reading and Writing in Japanese II: Hiragana and Katakana.
Major tech price changes like this are more than shopping news—they’re rich opportunities to learn authentic economic and business Japanese exactly as it’s used in real media.
これからもよろしくお願いします。 Kore kara mo yoroshiku onegaishimasu.