Apple to open technology development center outside of TokyoDecember 10, 2014 - 09:55 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Apple will open a technology development center just outside of Tokyo, a move that will bring it closer to parts suppliers, PCWorld says. “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 spokesman Takashi Takebayashi said via email. He wouldn’t say why Apple is building the facility but stressed it is not an R&D center. On Tuesday, Dec 9, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe told Japanese media that Apple will be performing “cutting-edge R&D in Japan.” He made the remark while campaigning for a general election that takes place Dec 14. The research center could open as early as next spring in Yokohama’s downtown Minato Mirai district, according to the Nikkei newspaper. “These new positions join our many employees in Japan, including eight retail stores,” the Apple spokesman said. “We are proud of our history here and we thank our many customers for their support over the 30 years Apple has been doing business in Japan.” Media reports have also speculated that the Japanese yen’s recent weakness was one factor that prompted Apple to conduct research in Japan. This week, the currency hit a seven-year low at 121.85 yen per dollar, making it cheaper for U.S. businesses to operate in Japan. By setting up shop in Yokohama, Apple would be closer to key parts suppliers including Sony, which makes camera modules for the iPhone, according to third-party teardowns. Apple has nearly doubled its R&D expenditures over the past two years. It spent US$6 billion in the year to Sept 27, 2014, according to its latest annual report, up from $4.5 billion in 2013 and $3.4 billion in 2012. Related links: Top stories Yerevan will host the 2024 edition of the World Congress On Information Technology (WCIT). Rustam Badasyan said due to the lack of such regulation, the state budget is deprived of VAT revenues. Krisp’s smart noise suppression tech silences ambient sounds and isolates your voice for calls. Gurgen Khachatryan claimed that the "illegalities have been taking place in 2020." Partner news Most popular in the section | Putin congratulates Pashinyan’s birthday Russian President Vladimir Putin congratulated Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan on his birthday on June 1. Opposition motorcade en route to Gyumri for large rally A motorcade of protesters headed by Archbishop Bagrat Galstanyan is heading to the city of Gyumri. Ruling MPs, Foreign Minister talk Armenia-Azerbaijan processes MOs from the ruling Civil Contract party met with the Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan in the Armenian parliament. Russia: Armenia’s frozen membership weakens CSTO position in Caucasus A Russian envoy said any step that could alienate the CSTO member states from each other is “deeply wrong”. |