Apple Opening Advanced R&D Center in Yokohama, Japan

[MacRumors]

Apple announced on Tuesday that it will be opening a new research and development center in Japan, reports The Wall Street Journal. The announcement followed a statement by Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who revealed earlier today that Apple was eyeing Japan for its research expansion.

Abe relayed the information about Apple while campaigning in Tokyo, stating that Apple planned to "conduct the most advanced research and development in Japan." Abe went on to describe the facility as being "among the largest in Asia." Apple confirmed these R&D plans in a statement released to the media.

"We're excited to expand our operations in Japan with a new technical development center in Yokohama which will create dozens of new jobs," Apple said in a statement.

Apple did not reveal on how it will use the future Yokohama site or how much it is investing in the facility. The operation will join other research and development centers Apple operates in China, Taiwan, Israel and other overseas locations. The company reportedly also is opening a new research center in Cambridge, England within the coming weeks.

Update 12/10/14: Though Apple has not disclosed the focus of its Japan-based research and development center, Nikkei reports that it will "center around health." The building is located in an economic zone designated as a hub for life sciences and environmental technology, and Apple is sponsoring research on blood pressure and blood sugar conducted in Yokohama.

Article Link: Apple Opening Advanced R&D Center in Yokohama, Japan

 

[Corrode]

This is great news for Japan. They need every bit of help they can get right now.

 

[thekeyring]

What I wouldn't give for a tour round an Apple R&D facility.

 

[OriginalMacRat]

What I wouldn't give for a tour round an Apple R&D factory.

This announcement has nothing to do with factories

 

[Thunderhawks]

iTires next

 

[MH01]

Good to see Apple opening the centre in Japan, anyone who loves tech needs to visit Tokyo.

 

[krravi]

This is great news for Japan. They need every bit of help they can get right now.

Huh? This center is set up to harness Japanese technology and research associates and not the other way around.

 

[Corrode]

Huh? This center is set up to harness Japanese technology and research associates and not the other way around.

In regards to their economy on the brink of a major recession. Not their iconic advanced technology, obviously.

 

[iPadCary]

All of these R & D facilities ....
What in God's name could they be working on?!?

I know Tim said that Apple's working on things not even rumored about,
and one would like to think that, going forward, Apple's justification
of thier new HQ isn't based on nothing but new aWatches, iPhones & iPads.

But still, the mind boggles: What could they possibly be working on?!?

 

[Rogifan]

All of these R & D facilities ....
What in God's name could they be working on?!?

I know Tim said that Apple's working on things not even rumored about,
and one would like to think that, going forward, Apple's justification
of thier new HQ isn't based on nothing but new aWatches, iPhones & iPads.

But still, the mind boggles: What could they be possibly working on?!?

This doesn't seem like a large facility. For all we know it could be for display or camera tech, not some new thing nobody is thinking about.

 

[midwestfisherma]

It would be nice if they opened one here in the U.S.

 

[dss10]

Advanced R&D Center?

Where are the remedial R&D centers?

 

[krravi]

In regards to their economy on the brink of a major recession. Not their iconic advanced technology, obviously.

Oh yeah you are right. They have been in recession for a while now..

 

[CFreymarc]

It would be nice if they opened one here in the U.S.

It is called Infinite Loop and before that the pirate flagged Apple buildings on Bandley Drive.

----------

Where are the remedial R&D centers?

Most American universities.

----------

Good to see Apple opening the centre in Japan, anyone who loves tech needs to visit Tokyo.

Apple has had a presence in Shinjuku (central Tokyo) for over twenty years. Their upper floor office has a wonderful view.

Issue is the rents there are astronomical. At times, the only American software engineers employed by Apple were in this office. Their duties were mostly localization work and supporting the Japanese Apple stores.

My take is this "new R&D center" has a massive tax and lease break for Apple getting most of the engineers out of Shinjuku and into less costly facilities. Yokohama is much less expensive than central Tokyo.

Anyone know what the commuter train schedule is like getting to that part of Tokyo bay?

 

[ThisIsNotMe]

It would be nice if they opened one here in the U.S.

Stop voting Democrat and you might get your wish.

 

[sehix]

It would be nice if they opened one here in the U.S.

Apple's biggest R&D centers are already here.

With other sites in various places around the world, including Israel, the UK, and asia.

 

[patent10021]

I live right there. lol Love Yokohama. Minato Mirai is cool.

 

[ChristianVirtual]

ようこそ ...

There is hope to integrate PASMO/Suica into Apple Pay.

 

[sw1tcher]

All of these R & D facilities ....
What in God's name could they be working on?!?

For Japan's sake, hopefully it's something to get the people interested in real sex and not virtual sex so they can grow their declining (and ageing) population.

 

[midwestfisherma]

Stop voting Democrat and you might get your wish.

LOL...you're not talking to me on that one!

 

[thekeyring]

This announcement has nothing to do with factories

Sorry; r&d research centre... Late night + wrong choice of words, my bad...

 

[lk400]

In regards to their economy on the brink of a major recession. Not their iconic advanced technology, obviously.

We are in a recession, not on the brink. But not a "major recession" and given how many recessions Japan has had over the past decade, not really a doomsday scenario.

----------

All of these R & D facilities ....
What in God's name could they be working on?!?

I know Tim said that Apple's working on things not even rumored about,
and one would like to think that, going forward, Apple's justification
of thier new HQ isn't based on nothing but new aWatches, iPhones & iPads.

But still, the mind boggles: What could they possibly be working on?!?

I think Yokohama has some big battery manufacturers there (e.g. i think the batteries in the 787 are made there).

Could be something around this?

----------

ようこそ ...

There is hope to integrate PASMO/Suica into Apple Pay.

I dont think you need an R&D center to work that one out! Nor to work out the chances of it actually happening any time soon (think of how late smartphones caught on here, or how long it took to get the numerous regional IC cards working interoperably).

 

[ruthami]

Be interesting to see if the Shinjuku offices close. Or if we finally get a proper Apple Store in Yokohama!

Train schedule: 33 min Shinjuku to Yokohama via the Shonan Shinjuku Liner (JR), about 5 more to Sakuragicho (one end of Minato Mirai, where the new Apple presence is to be). 25-30 min Tokyo to Yokohama (Tokaido).

32 min Shibuya to Minato Mirai.

My take is this "new R&D center" has a massive tax and lease break for Apple getting most of the engineers out of Shinjuku and into less costly facilities. Yokohama is much less expensive than central Tokyo.

Anyone know what the commuter train schedule is like getting to that part of Tokyo bay?

 

[ChristianVirtual]

Be interesting to see if the Shinjuku offices close. Or if we finally get a proper Apple Store in Yokohama!

Didn't they moved to Roppongi Hills ? Or not complete ? And hey, three stores in Tokyo. Just come over from Yokohama

 

[ruthami]

True enough. But still, we want our own!

And hey, three stores in Tokyo. Just come over from Yokohama