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The Japanese Yen against the US Dollar has weakened dramatically in recent months – from less than 78 yen to the dollar on October 1 to a recent high of over 103 yen to the dollar on May 19.

Source: http://www.oanda.com

The weaker yen has been, so far, once of the biggest differences in the Japanese economy during the recent so-called “Abenomics” – a set of very aggressive fiscal policies implemented by new Prime Minister, Shinzo Abe.

Generally this has given a very big boost to the Japanese economy, helping make Japanese manufacturing costs cheaper in foreign terms and helping exports and stimulating the economy.

But, as pointed out in a recent analysis of Apple products, it has made the cost of foreign technology more expensive in Japan. The following data shows some of the price increases of Apple products recently here in Japan, up as much as ¥16,000 for the 128GB iPad Retina Display (Wi-Fi + cellular model).

◆iPod touch
・iPod touch(32GB) ¥24,800 -> ¥29,800 (¥5,000 UP)
・iPod touch(64GB) ¥33,800 -> ¥39,800 (¥6,000 UP)

◆iPod nano
・iPod nano(16GB) ¥12,800 -> ¥14,800 (¥2,000 UP)

◆iPod shuffle
・iPod shuffle(2GB) ¥4,200 -> ¥4,800 (¥600 UP)

◆iPod classic
・iPod classic(160GB) ¥20,900 -> ¥24,800 (¥3,900 UP)

◆iPad mini(Wi-Fi)
・iPad mini(16GB) ¥28,800 -> ¥32,800 (¥4,000 UP)
・iPad mini(32GB) ¥36,800 -> ¥42,800 (¥6,000 UP)
・iPad mini(64GB) ¥44,800 -> ¥52,800 (¥8,000 UP)

◆iPad mini(Wi-Fi＋Cellular)
・iPad mini(16GB) ¥39,800 -> ¥46,800 (¥7,000 UP)
・iPad mini(32GB) ¥47,800 -> ¥56,800 (¥9,000 UP)
・iPad mini(64GB) ¥55,800 -> ¥66,800 (¥11,000 UP)

◆iPad 2
・iPad 2(16GB、Wi-Fi) ¥34,800 -> ¥39,800 (¥5,000 UP)
・iPad 2(16GB、Wi-Fi＋3G) ¥45,800 -> ¥53,800 (¥8,000 UP)

◆iPad Retina Display model (Wi-Fi)
・iPad Retina Display model (16GB) ¥42,800 -> ¥49,800 (¥7,000 UP)
・iPad Retina Display model (32GB) ¥50,800 -> ¥59,800 (¥9,000 UP)
・iPad Retina Display model (64GB) ¥58,800 -> ¥69,800 (¥11,000 UP)
・iPad Retina Display model (128GB) ¥66,800 -> ¥79,800 (¥13,000 UP)

◆iPad Retina Display model (Wi-Fi＋Cellular)
・iPad Retina Display model (16GB) ¥53,800 -> ¥63,800 (¥10,000 UP)
・iPad Retina Display model (32GB) ¥61,800 -> ¥73,800 (¥12,000 UP)
・iPad Retina Display model (64GB) ¥69,800 -> ¥83,900 (¥14,100 UP)
・iPad Retina Display model (128GB) ¥77,800 -> ¥93,800 (¥16,000 UP)

Nikon’s odd financial calendar means that the camera maker is announcing its first quarter results for 2013. The confusingly-dated documents show that it isn’t having the best Spring / Summer, since while it pulled in a net profit of $201 million, that figure is down nearly 50 percent on the $392 million it made in the same period last year. It sold a record number of interchangeable-lens cameras, lenses and a good number of compact cameras, but that was offset against the high cost of the yen.

Its other businesses, Precision Equipment and Instruments both suffered thanks to Government spending cuts, a “harsh business climate” and the now age-old problem of the high exchange rate. It’s expecting the situation to remain the same in the next three months, with booming camera sales weight against losses in its other businesses — with a projected profit of $143 million anticipated in Q3.

Filed under: Digital Cameras

Nikon makes $201 million quarterly profit, nearly 50 percent drop from last year, blames strong yen originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 08 Aug 2012 06:47:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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