As no stock numbers have been made public yet, the upcoming iPhone launch has made people camp out in front of Tokyo stores, in an attempt to increase the chances of getting their hands on the new version of the popular device. Wearing their Apple and iPhone t-shirts, they don’t seem to pay any attention to the cold and the humidity outside.

In Japan, there has been a very serious competition between Softbank and DoCoMo; both companies wanted to sell the iPhone. Although the former has won the contract, DoCoMo is still engaged in talks with Apple for finding a way to bring the device to its 50 million customer-base. Softbank is currently the third largest mobile communications carrier in Japan.

At the end of last month, Softbank announced the pricing for the 3G iPhone: the device will be made available for 23,040 yen (about $214) for the 8GB version and at 34,560 yen (approximately $321) for the 16GB model. Customers will also be able to go for a monthly iPhone service plan of 7,280 yen ($68), that will enable them to talk to other Softbank subscribers for free.

Friday will be quite a day for Apple, as its iPhone will be launched in no less than 22 new countries. Among the lucky ones, besides Japan, we also find Australia, New Zealand and Hong Kong.

Apple intends to ship ten million units of the iPhone by the end of 2008. Although this may seem quite difficult to accomplish, as the smartphone will be made available pretty much everywhere, Apple’s plan has a very good chance of actually getting done. Offers like the one T-Mobile recently announced in Germany (with a two-year contract, the 8GB 3G iPhone costs 1 euro) will definitely help.