Survey: Google's Nexus 7 Outpaces iPad at Japanese Retail Stores

Apple's iPad has a storied history of leading global tablet sales. Despite a seemingly never-ending deluge of tablets from numerous tech companies, Cupertino has hardly budged from the top spot. But according to one survey, Google's Nexus 7 may have dethroned the iPad for its stake of Japanese market share.

According to Japanese business site Nikkei (via CNET), a survey of Japanese electronics distributors shows the Nexus 7 leading the iPad by more than 4 percent. 

Market research firm BCN conducted the survey in December, reaching out to 2,400 consumer electronics retailers. Google's Nexus 7 accounted for 44.4-percent of all tablet sales, according to the survey, beating out the Apple's iPad at 40.1-percent.

While this is the first time the Nexus 7 has outweighed the iPad in Japan since Apple debuted the device in 2010, the report indicates price may have proven a contributing factor. The 16GB Nexus 7 starts at 19,800 yen, as opposed to the 42,000 yen iPad or 28,800 yen iPad mini.

But some of these numbers seem just a teensy bit restrictive. Namely, Nikkei states the influence of the Kindle Fire line wasn't included into BCN's equation as those devices are, "primarily sold online." Assuming the study only evaluated brick-and-mortar shops, it's clear the results are not necessarily representative of Japanese tablet buyers as a whole.

Moreover, Google and manufacturer ASUS have previously stated the Nexus 7 is sold with thin margins, meaning the low price point driving Japanese sales may not necessarily equate to huge profits in comparison to to Apple's iPad (especially at only a 4 percent stake).

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