Some of our non-Japanese readers are wondering why, when trying to sort out a phone and contract with Softbank, they often seem to be subject to different rules than Japanese customers — and even fellow foreign residents.

BJ writes: "When getting an iPhone at Softbank, in my experience, a foreigner must pay outright for the entire phone, while Japanese pay a couple thousand yen each month with a two-year contract. For those of us who call Japan home, it is infuriating to be treated as a 'lesser citizen.' "

Whereas a number of foreign readers complain that Softbank's policies seem to vary from store to store, others have had no problems at all. Several said they had been told they must pay the entire cost of the handset up front upon beginning a contract, but just as many people were able to set up monthly payments for the handset over a two-year contract period.