Chinese cause a riot at Osaka Apple store iPhone 6 release

[BigInJapan]

At the release of the iPhone 6 at an Apple store in Shinsaibashi, Osaka, some Chinese customers caused a riot after being told the products were sold out. Apparently as many as 30 pushed their way into the store after Apple employees announced that they were sold out (people had been lined up for 1 week). The store called the police who sent over 9 patrol cars and more than 25 cops to take care of the situation (the store was closed down). No word of injuries or arrests (officially). *
BTW - the Asahi doesn't say "riot", but it does say intense/violent protest.
Asahi Webnews

2chan has a slightly different take on what happened:
- A group of more than 10 people cut in line then pushed into the store.
- It was a group of resellers (students, tourists, etc.) there to resell in China where sales are delayed.
- Said things like, "Get the manager out here! Kneel on the ground!", etc.
- Keystones came and arrested them all.
- They claimed that they lined up, so why can't we buy them? *
2chan

* Disclaimer: The above-mentioned is be taken with a grain of salt, and as I have a deadline tomorrow, translation is quick and dirty.

[MOD EDIT: moved Shinsaibashi from Tokyo to Osaka, where they usually keep it!]
D'oh! Thanks for that. I was focusing on work and although I didn't recognize the location, my brain just assumed it was in Tokyo - BIJ

[Taro Toporific]

... Apple employees announced that they were sold out (people had been lined up for 1 week...

Damn, I had been lined up for ONE WEEK and was not warned by Apple employees that supplies were not available, I would "riot" too!

However, Chinese are infamous for cutting into lines --- fuck 'em, and let them enjoy their 23 days in jail.

[inflames]

I walked past the Apple store on Tuesday and there were a few people lined up (5 or so), but not many.

[omae mona]

- It was a group of resellers (students, tourists, etc.) there to resell in China where sales are delayed.

However, Chinese are infamous for cutting into lines --- fuck 'em, and let them enjoy their 23 days in jail.

Well, looks like some of those who stayed clear of the riot might have ended up in worse shape if they eventually got their phones. I think if I were Chinese, I'd much rather get in trouble in Japan than at customs in China while trying to re-enter with smuggled iPhones.

According to this story some folks entering China from Macau got busted when the x-ray machine showed their cookie boxes were not full of cookies, but rather 20 units of iPhone 6. Apparently Chinese customs officials are on high alert. I wonder if a similar fate befell those who managed to avoid arrest at the Osaka iPhone store...

[matsuki]

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[havill]

This is not a phenomenon just in Japan. Here's NYC: