Due to recent extreme cold wave hitting Japan, there has been a significant surge in smartphones malfunctioning and resulting in increased repair requests. There has been a rapid increase in demand for smartphone repair services throughout the country, with many consumers being left stranded without a functioning device. The precise reason behind these unexpected defects remains unclear, but some reports suggest that the harsh winter conditions could be causing internal components of the devices to fail.

In Japan, where an estimated 79.8% of the population owns a smartphone, a defect or malfunction can cause significant disruptions. This is particularly noticeable during winter months, when people rely on their phones not only for communication but also for navigation, news, and weather updates. Moreover, with Japan's technology-driven society, inability to access or use essential devices like smartphones can negatively impact numerous aspects of social and personal life.

The situation draws similarities with the US and EU, where there are instances of technological malfunctions due to extreme weather situations. Still, the major difference lies in the reaction of the population - in Japan, the spike in repair requests signifies the high reliance on smartphones, which might be more ingrained in daily life than in the US or EU.