Weeks after revealing the iPhone 17 series to the world, Apple CEO Tim Cook arrived in Japan, embarking on a high-profile tour that blends technology with local popular culture. Cook’s visit to Japan was primarily down to preparing for the grand reopening of a historic Apple Store in Ginza. However, instead of just preparing, Cook had a memorable encounter with the iconic Pokémon character, Pikachu, thus highlighting the deep integration of Apple’s platforms with the country’s dominant gaming industry.
The highlight of Cook’s visit is the highly anticipated reopening of Apple Ginza in Tokyo on Friday. Originally established in 2003, Ginza was Apple’s first retail location outside of the United States. The store was relocated due to a necessary renovation of the Sayegusa Building, but now, the flagship store is ready with significant upgrades, including a dedicated Apple Pickup station for online orders, an expanded Genius Bar, and seating areas for one-on-one demos of the Apple Vision Pro.
Cook is expected to attend the reopening on September 26 at 10:00 a.m. local time. Apple is celebrating the occasion with special-edition Gift Cards and custom digital wallpapers.
Apple CEO meets Pikachu
In a social media post, Cook mentioned some of the highlights from his Japan tour prior to the store reopening. Other than meeting and interacting with Pikachu(s), the CEO also used his visit to celebrate the local developer community and the success of iOS gaming. On his social media platform, Cook detailed his activities, which also included a meeting with the popular Japanese boy band Number\_i. He highlighted the nation’s cultural significance in the gaming world.
“Met Pikachu, connected with developers using our software features in amazing ways, and played Dragon Ball Gekishin Squadra at Bandai Namco… Japan is a gamer’s paradise!” wrote Cook.
Cook’s gaming-focused tour of Japan
Cook’s stop at Bandai Namco Studios to play the iOS game Dragon Ball Gekishin Squadra also highlights Apple’s focus on its App Store and the gaming ecosystem.
The recently released iOS 26 update and the new iPhone 17 models are more gaming-centric than ever. The Game Center app now brings together all high scores, achievements, and other related data that matter to gamers. The iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max models bring along a vapour cooling chamber for better peak performance during high-stress gaming.