Hot on the heels of Steve Jobs' big Wednesday event comes some very interesting news from Japan. Steve, you may recall, revealed to us all that iMacs are still selling like gangbusters, and the data about who's buying them is very interesting indeed. If Apple's market data is correct, then almost 30% of iMac buyers are first-timers to the world of home computers, and one out of eight iMacs sold is actually replacing a Wintel PC. If that trend can continue, then Apple should be looking at some real market share growth over the next year or so.

The good news is that the iMac's incredible popularity is not limited to the United States; in Japan, things apparently aren't much different. According to a CNET article, Apple Japan president Eiko Harada says that they've sold 40,000 iMacs in Japan since its introduction at the end of August. 10,000 were sold on the first day they were available, and 1,000 more have been sold each and every day since. Even the demographic numbers seem in line with Steve's; in Japan, about 40% of the iMac buyers are new Apple customers, and 14% are crossing over from the Wintel world.

But the really interesting news is this: reportedly, over half of the iMac buyers in Japan are women. From what we understand, that's pretty much unheard of; computer makers have long scratched their heads, trying to figure out how to lure female buyers, and apparently Apple has done it. We don't want to make any hasty generalizations, here, like "chalk up one more win for the 'cute factor.'" It may in fact be that Japanese women are attracted by the iMac's low price, fast processor, and simplicity; everyone loves the promise of a computer that lets you work and play without a lot of hassle and wasted time. But it may also be due in large part to the iMac's look, which, now that we think about it, evokes a cross between Bubblegum Crisis and Hello Kitty. Personally, this reminds us of our idea for little iMac-shaped Tamagotchi virtual pets, which would require you to feed and care for a little dogcow. You heard it here first, so if Apple actually ever makes them, you'll know from where they stole the idea. ;-)