Well, it sounds like the camera on Japanese iPhones still makes the distinct clicking shutter noise when a picture is taken -- even in silent mode.
Japanese blogger, Nobuyuki Hayashi, made a post about the feature on his website, which appears to only affect Japanese iPhones.
This is, supposedly, to refrain people from snapping stealthy upskirt and downblouse pics of unwitting passerbys. The occurrence, apparently a prevalent phenomenon in Japan, warrants a fine of ¥500,000 (nearly $4700 USD) or six months jail-time for first-time offenders.
It seems Japan, with its penchant for hi-res camera phones, urges handset manufacturers to keep camera sounds enabled, regardless of volume preferences. The 1st generation iPhone was amongst one of only a handful of Japanese phones that didn't abide by this rule, and many wondered if the 3G iPhone would continue in its footsteps or step in line.
This would appear to be the only national/cultural distinction amongst iPhones that shipped worldwide to over 20 countries just a week and a half ago.
