Tim Cook’s busy (and fun) trip to Japan

Apple CEO Tim Cook gets around, and this past week he was visiting Japan. As head of the most valuable company in the world, Cook gets the diplomatic treatment, and spent part of his time with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. The Prime Minister chronicled the visit on his official Facebook page, noting that it was Cook’s first trip to Japan since becoming CEO and that Apple’s new R&D center in Yokohama (Tsunashima Technical Development Center) will open in December of 2016.

Abe pointed out that iOS application development is a vital part of the country’s economy, with the youngest developer in the island nation being just 8 years old.

Cook also took a ride on the JRE (Japan Railway East) Yamanote line, paying for the ride with Apple Pay. In a tweet, Cook mentioned that he “Can’t wait for our customers in Japan to start using it later this month.” 

Prime Minister Abe made an appearance at the closing ceremony for the recent 2016 Rio Olympics as none other than Mario, so it’s fitting that Cook also visited with Nintendo executives and got tips on racking up a good score at Super Mario Run from Mario’s creator and legendary game designer Shigeru Miyamoto. Wouldn’t it be fun to tag along with Tim Cook on his business trips?