Tokyo tech, in English
Japan’s tech and internet industry, in plain English
Gadget guides, app and cloud explainers, and the business news behind them — short enough to read with a coffee.
New on Tokyo Tronic
Latest from Tokyo
Do US Appliances Work in Japan? Voltage & Plug (October 2026)
Do US appliances work in Japan? Japan's 100V supply, 50/60Hz split, plug types and transformer needs explained for travelers and expats in…
Japanese Voltage vs US Voltage Explained (October 2026)
Japanese voltage vs US voltage differences in : plugs, 50Hz vs 60Hz, transformers, and safe ways to power phones, laptops and small…
How to Unlock a Japanese Phone for US Networks (October 2026)
Learn how to unlock a Japanese phone for US networks, check whether it is carrier-locked, and activate it on a compatible US…
Why Japanese ATMs Reject Foreign Cards: 9 Causes (October 2026)
Why Japanese ATMs reject foreign cards: nine common causes, from network limits to PIN rules and issuer blocks, plus what to do…
Why Mobile Payments Took Longer to Catch On in Japan (2026)
Learn why mobile payments took longer to catch on in Japan, from FeliCa and i-mode to modern QR payments, and what COVID-19…
Japan SIM Card vs eSIM for Travelers: Which One Wins 2026?
Japan SIM card vs eSIM for travelers compared: setup, device compatibility, coverage, tethering and data limits, so you can pick the right…
How to Pay with IC Cards in Japan: Easy Guide (October 2026)
Learn how to pay with IC cards in Japan: where to tap on trains, buses and stores, how to check your balance,…
How to Use Convenience Store Wifi in Japan (October 2026)
Learn how to use convenience store wifi in japan: which chains still offer it, how to pick the right network, and what…
Suica vs PASMO for Visitors: Which Card Is Better? (2026)
Suica vs PASMO for visitors in : fees, coverage, refunds, top-ups and where to buy each one, plus which card suits a…
Find your way around
Browse by topic
From the editors
Tokyo Tronic exists for one reason: to make Japan’s tech and internet industry easy to follow in English. Expect devices you can actually buy, apps and cloud services explained without the jargon, and the business news sitting behind them. Everything here is written plainly, for readers who are not in the room when the Japanese press release goes out. If a piece helps you decide something, it has done its job.
About this site
A briefing desk, not a feed
Tokyo Tronic covers Japan’s tech and internet scene in English — gadgets, apps, cloud and the companies moving around them. It is written for founders, marketers and gadget readers who want the story straight, starting with the hardware and software and widening into the guides around it.