Apple to Build Cutting-Edge R&D Centre in Japan, Says Prime Minister

Apple has plans to build a “cutting-edge” new research and development centre in Japan, the Japanese Prime Minister, Abe Shinzo, announced on Tuesday.

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“Apple has decided to undertake cutting-edge R&D in Japan,” Jiji news service quoted Abe as saying in a campaign speech outside of Tokyo ahead of Sunday’s general election. “It will be formally announced soon.”

Without offering any specific details, the leader claims the facility will be on a par with Apple’s biggest research and development centres in Asia. Reuters reached out to Apple Japan for a comment, but they refrained from revealing any of the company’s plans, so we are still awaiting the confirmation.

You may recall that Apple’s R&D expenses have grown exponentially during the past few years. In the past quarter alone, the company has spent $1.68 billion on R&D. The total R&D spending in fiscal year of 2014 has exceeded $6 billion.

Although Apple doesn’t reveal its product plans, this September it gave the tech world a sneak peek into a new product category to be launched next year: the Apple Watch.

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