JAPAN — The Asian tech market often has features and add-ons that the American market has to wait for – or never sees. Whether the states will embrace Japan’s newest iPhone innovation is unknown, although women with short skirts and a desire for privacy may consider it a step in the right direction.In spite of tentacle sex porn and the wildly popular RapeMan comic books, the Japanese are generally thought of as gracious and respectful. Japanese consumers of the iPhone 3G, however, apparently can’t be trusted to use the device’s camera option appropriately, because the latest version has an anti-upskirt warning sound pre-installed.

Whenever a Japanese consumer snaps a photo – be it of their neighbor’s prized bonsai or barely there panties — a loud shutter sound will provide warning of the activity.

There’s no escaping the security feature. Not even setting the phone to silent mode will keep the device from ratting out photographers, authorized or otherwise.

According to GearLog.com, upskirt and downblouse shots are an increasing problem in supposedly civilized and honor conscious Japan now that high-resolution mobile camera phones have become easily accessible. As a result, all cell phones sold within Japan make an audible and un-mutable shutter sound, emulating more traditional cameras.

The earlier iPhone released within Japan lacked the shutter sound, something that did not go unnoticed by enthusiasts. The most recent release corrected that omission and brought the tech toy into compliance with industry standards for the island nation.