Apple: 3G iPads will be unlocked in Japan

Following rumors of carrier-locked iPad 3Gs, Apple has officially announced that Japanese customers will be able to use micro SIM cards from carriers outside of Japan, according to The Wall Street Journal.

"Outside of Japan" is the key phrase here. While in the country, customers will receive service from Softbank, the only official carrier (NTT DoCoMo recently backed out of plans to carry the device). When roaming internationally, Japanese customers may purchase and install their own micro SIM, saving huge roaming fees. Likewise, foreigners traveling to Japan can hop on the Softbank network for roaming.

This is good news for those customers who tend to travel and want to bring their iPads along.

[Via The Mac Observer]