by , 12:10 PM EDT, July 2nd, 2008

Apple's iPhone 3G isn't available in Japan yet, but that's not stopping it from coming out on top in a survey of phones consumers are most interested in. The results appeared in an iSHARE survey that asked Japanese consumers which smartphone they were interested in, according to Tech-On!.

The survey let participants choose from several smartphone models that are due to hit the market soon, or were recently released. The iPhone 3G topped the list with 57.9 percent of the participants showing interest. The Willcom D4 came in second with a 35.8 percent ranking.

Japan's interest in the iPhone 3G bodes well for Apple Softbank, its partner in the country, considering the overall size of the region's cell phone market.

The iPhone 3G goes on sale in about 20 countries on July 11, and is set to expand out to over 70 countries before the end of the year. The combination iPod and smartphone will include 2G wireless data support, a built-in GPS and support for Apple's new App Store for distributing third-party iPhone and iPod touch applications.