Apple CEO Tim Cook this week spent time in Japan, and during his trip, he sat down with Japanese news site Nikkei to cover familiar topics like privacy, manufacturing, and health.

Cook visited Apple supplier Seiko Advance in Tokyo, met with developers in the area, visited a primary school, and stopped by several local Apple Stores.

timcooktokyonikkei
Cook said that Apple does manufacturing by looking at "all countries" and seeing what skills are available. "We pick the best," Cook said. He pointed out that Apple has created well over two million jobs in the United States, and says there's "enormous manufacturing" happening there. "Just not the assembly of the final product," he said.

On the topic of Apple's ability to innovate, Cook said that the smartphone market has not yet reached its peak and there are still advancements to come.

"I know of no one who would call a 12-year-old mature," he said. "Sometimes these steps are humongous, sometimes these steps are smaller. But the key is to always make things better, not just change for change's sake."

"The ethos and the DNA of the company have never been stronger on the innovation front. The product line has never been stronger."

Cook went on to say that he believes Apple's greatest contribution to humankind will be in health, something that he's said several times before. He specifically pointed out the ECG function of the Apple Watch as evidence of Apple's progress.

Cook also spoke about competition and monopolies, claiming that Apple has "more competitors than any company on earth." Apple is facing regulatory investigations in the United States and Europe over its App Store policies amid accusations that Apple has an unfair advantage over third-party app developers.

"A monopoly by itself isn't bad if it's not abused," Cook said, while insisting that Apple does not have a monopoly in any sector. "The question for those companies is, do they abuse it? And that is for regulators to decide, not for me to decide."

Cook ended the interview with a spiel on privacy, a topic that he often covers. He reiterated once again that customers are not Apple's product, and that Apple does not believe in trafficking data.

‌Tim Cook‌'s full interview with Nikkei can be read over on the Nikkei website.

Top Rated Comments

brinary001 Avatar
64 months ago
Oh Tim, I love you man and I love Apple, but I'll have to disagree with you that innovation "has never been stronger"... You guys spent 2019 fixing your own mistakes and just giving your customers the simple requests they've had for years now. It's appreciated sure, but hardly innovative.
Score: 35 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Plutonius Avatar
64 months ago
Tim would make a good politician.

He's a master at the spin.
Score: 23 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Baymowe335 Avatar
64 months ago
He’s right. Apple made the best iPhones ever in iPhone 11, iPad has returned to growth, wearables are exploding, and services get better all the time.

Tim Cook has done an amazing job. He’s also handled the President better than I think any CEO in America.
Score: 21 Votes (Like | Disagree)
dumastudetto Avatar
64 months ago

He’s right. Apple made the best iPhones ever in iPhone 11, iPad has returned to growth, wearables are exploding, and services get better all the time.

Tim Cook has done an amazing job. He’s also handled the President better than I think any CEO in America.
Let's not forget iPadOS has truly unlocked the potential of iPad Pro to be the world's only SuperComputer for the masses.

HomePod with its awarding-winning sound profile.

Apple TV and Apple TV+ revolutionising home entertainment.

Tim Cook gets it. Steve Jobs could not have made a better decision in choosing him to be his successor.
Score: 16 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Chytin Avatar
64 months ago
Tim Cook really loves the attention he gets from the media. I love to see an interview with him about products, state of iOS 13, Mac Pro performance, etc.
Score: 15 Votes (Like | Disagree)
PC_tech Avatar
64 months ago

Educate yourself if you think Apple hasn’t handled the President brilliantly. I’m not dignifying it with a long explanation. He’s been better than superb.
You’re always asking for proof and you can’t provide any when asked..... How anyone takes you seriously is beyond me.


Let's not forget iPadOS has truly unlocked the potential of iPad Pro to be the world's only SuperComputer for the masses.

HomePod with its awarding-winning sound profile.

Apple TV and Apple TV+ revolutionising home entertainment.

Tim Cook gets it. Steve Jobs could not have made a better decision in choosing him to be his successor.
Wishful thinking
Score: 15 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

AirPods Pro Firmware Feature

Apple Releases Firmware Updates for AirPods Pro 2 and AirPods 4

Monday November 11, 2024 11:28 am PST by
Apple today released firmware updates for both AirPods 4 models (version number 7B20) and the AirPods Pro 2 with both Lightning and USB-C charging cases (version number 7B21). All of these AirPods models were previously on firmware version 7B19. It is not immediately clear what new features or changes are included in firmware versions 7B20 and 7B21, but we will update this story if we find...
General Final Cut Pro Feature

Apple Likely to Announce Final Cut Pro Update This Week With These New Features

Sunday November 10, 2024 12:13 pm PST by
In its announcement video for the new Mac mini last month, Apple teased an "upcoming" version of Final Cut Pro for the Mac. Apple will likely announce the update during the annual Final Cut Pro Creative Summit, which begins this Wednesday. The conference is held in association with Apple, and attendees will be visiting Apple Park on the first day. Apple already teased four new features...
iphone 6 thickness

iPhone 17 'Air' May Not Be Much Thinner Than iPhone 6

Monday November 11, 2024 5:18 am PST by
Next year's iPhone 17 "Air" model may not be as thin as Apple planned, according to a rumor originating in Korea. According to the news aggregator account "yeux1122" on Naver, citing industry sources, Apple has run into problems making the new iPhone 17 model sufficiently thin. The device's reduced thickness is apparently dependent on manufacturing a battery with a thinner substrate, but...
new mac holiday

The Best Early Black Friday Mac Deals

Monday November 11, 2024 7:45 am PST by
Black Friday is getting closer, and prices on MacBook Pro, MacBook Air, iMac, and Mac mini computers have started to drop as the shopping holiday nears. These deals include the latest models of the M4 MacBook Pro and iMac. Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with some of these vendors. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site...
best buy holiday

Best Buy Reveals Black Friday Plans With Sitewide Sales Available Now

Friday November 8, 2024 10:05 am PST by
Black Friday sales are continuing today with Best Buy kicking off early Black Friday deals that will last for the next few days. Similar to other retailers, Best Buy's early Black Friday event includes sitewide savings on Apple products, headphones, TVs, monitors, video games, and more. Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Best Buy. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may...
iOS 18 2 Share Item Location

Apple Announces iOS 18.2's New AirTag Location Sharing Feature Coming to These 15+ Airlines

Monday November 11, 2024 8:18 am PST by
Last week, we reported on a new feature in the Find My app on the iOS 18.2 beta that allows you to temporarily share an AirTag's location with a trusted person, and soon with airlines. Apple today announced the feature, providing more details. Apple said more than 15 airlines will offer the feature "in the coming months," including Delta, United, Air Canada, British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, ...
iOS 18

Here's Everything New in iOS 18.2 Beta 3

Monday November 11, 2024 4:53 pm PST by
Apple seeded the third betas of iOS 18.2 and iPadOS 18.2 to developers for testing today. While the third betas of each update are minor relative to the first two betas, there are still a handful of changes across the Photos app, TV app, and more. A corresponding iOS 18.2 public beta with these changes will likely be released later this week, and Apple previously confirmed that the software...
Next Generation CarPlay Porsche 1

Apple Continues to Prepare for Next-Generation CarPlay in iOS 18.2 Beta

Monday November 11, 2024 12:42 pm PST by
It has been nearly two and a half years since Apple first previewed next-generation CarPlay at WWDC 2022, and it has still yet to become available in any vehicles. Fortunately, though, Apple continues to work on the software system. Within the code for the third beta of iOS 18.2 seeded to developers today, there are redesigned "Climate" and "Media" app icons for next-generation CarPlay,...