Much ado was made last week over the fact that for the first time in four years, the Walkman outsold the iPod in Japan for that one week’s sales. The only real reason to make note of such a thing is either (a) to report that Walkman is overtaking Apple as the leader in the DAP market in Japan, or (b) report the facts in context.

Unfortunately, many media outlets reported the false story (a) and glossed over or completely ignored the relevant context (b). For example, the stories in Consumer Affairs and The Post Chronicle both fail to mention that iPhone sales are not included in the count. Other stories, like those in Engadget and CNet note that the iPhone is not counted and even that Apple was planning on releasing new iPods soon–but they still did not seem to take note of the central fact explaining the numbers.

The general consensus was that Sony is nipping at Apple’s heels and is giving them a run for their money–one story even said that the Walkman was “striding past” the iPod. This because for one week, the Walkman sold 43% of DAP units and Apple sold 42.1%.

None of the non-Mac-oriented sites I found covering the story provided the full context: that for the week reported, Apple was clearing the distribution channels of iPods; new units were not being stocked, and consumers were well aware that within a week or two, they could get better models for the same or even a cheaper price. Well, of course Apple’s sales dipped. Duh.

Proof of this come with the new week’s sales figures: Sony’s sales fell to 32.1%, and Apple’s sales rose to 58%.

So much for striding.

Now, several weeks ago, there was a similar effect in the other direction: Apple was lauded for taking the #1 spot for cell phone sales in Japan. Apple fans expressed approval for this point, but also noted caution–it was the week after the iPhone 3GS was released, so figures were bound to be higher than normal. And sure enough, in following weeks, the iPhone ranking slipped.

However, ironically, in the week where the iPod Nano and Touch made the big news, the iPhone also climbed back up. During August, Apple took 3 of the top 20 spots in cell phone sales, with the 32GB 3GS topping Apple’s showings in the #7 spot. This week? The 32GB 3GS is #1 again, with the 16GB at #7 and the 8GB 3G at #14. Sony had phones at the #5 and #15 positions, as well as many spots down the list. And Apple may gain even more as the last of the 2-year contracts end and more people are free to switch to the iPhone. (That’s what one of the people in my office is doing–waiting to join the other six of us who have the iPhone already. And no, I wasn’t responsible for any of the purchases. For a change.)

This in a country where Sony and other domestic brands are supposed to have an overwhelming advantage, and where the public supposedly “hates” the iPhone.