Japan has it's own protocol, I'm pretty sure. And I'm pretty sure the reason Apple is partnering with Cingular, is that they're the only provider that uses SIM cards in the US. All the other providers still program the phones directly.
Also, from what I remember reading, the SIM card just slides in from the top, so you can eject and change SIM cards. I want to know why Asia doesn't get one till 2008 though.
