Edible Apple

Despite early reports that the iPhone wasn’t a hit in Japan, the only iPhone carrier in the region, Softbank, attributed a 5-fold increase in profits over the past quarter to the popularity of the iPhone as well as the iPad.

“The solid growth in average per-user revenue and subscribers are behind our stable profits. I believe this trend will continue for some time,” Chief Executive Masayoshi Son said at a press conference.

The popularity of Apple devices in Japan continued to underpin earnings at Softbank, whose business also includes Internet services. The iPhone and iPad have helped the carrier win new customers and generate more revenue from data transmission.

In a subsequent interview, Son explained: “With strong sales of Apple devices continuing to underpin earnings, the iPhone’s strength is standing out the more people come to use smartphones.”

If the name Masayoshi Son sounds familiar, it’s because the Softbank CEO offered iPhones to over 1,200 people who were forced to relocate to Takeo, Japan in the wake of the earthquake and tsunami disasters that struck Japan earlier this year. Not only that, but Son also said he would give all orphans free phones and cell service until they reached the age of 18.

via MarketWatch