Japan set for rumored iPad 2 arrival on April 28

Japanese Apple fans -- or just folk keen on wholesome, home-baked design -- will doubtless be beside themselves on hearing the seemingly leaked news that Jobs and Co. may just be sneaking out the new iPad 2 there on April 28. Yes -- that’s tomorrow, fanboys.

That veritable font of all knowledge, the “Nikkei Shimbun” newspaper, says the shiny lust-bauble will hit Japanese stores in stealth mode, more than a month after the scheduled March 25 launch-date.

Soft launch?

Since then, Apple has never publically said when the tablet device would reach Japan, so a soft launch would not be a surprise.

Supply problems have been cited over the last month, meaning stock could be too limited to go big on the publicity at first.

And, while we always have total confidence in the Nikkei’s fearless crew, nothing has been confirmed by Apple Japan. So, see you in line tomorrow morning?

Update: Well done, Nikkei-jin -- spot on again.