The iPhone frenzy has virally spread all over the globe, but not in Japan.

Japanese telecom carrier SoftBank is reportedly offering 8GB iPhones (the latest 3G variant) for free if you allow yourself to get tied up with a two-year contract.

There are many reasons why the technologically-advanced Japanese have not embraced the iPhone, it’s probably because of its sub-par features. I am pretty sure there are better alternatives to the iPhone in the land of the rising sun. When you look at some of the features that Japanese phones have, it’s like having a mini-netbook in the palm of your hand! Check out some of the standard features of a Japanese phone here.

More information elsewhere:

• iPhone Unpopular in Japan? (BlogCampaigning)
• Japan > iPhone (iphonetattler.com)
• Why the iPhone is unpopular in Japan (Later On)
• Get Free 8GB iPhone 3G In Japan (My Digital Life)
• Softbank iPhone Now Free (PMP Today)
• Why the iPhone is not popular in Japan (TeleRead)
• Why Japan hates the iPhone (The Blogs at HowStuffWorks)
• Why the Japanese Hate the iPhone (Your Mac Life)