I am going to get a new iPhone 7, but I prefer the convenience of continuing my Mobile Suica service which was very handy on my old Samsung from Japan.

It seems Apple is only including the Felica chip on Japan model iPhones, so the only way to get the feature is to buy it over there. Given the price is the same (actually cheaper when you consider no US sales tax), the Japan Apple Store sells the phone "Sim Free", but there seems to be some discrepancy as to whether SIM free is actually "unlocked", meaning I can bring it back to the US and use my own SIM card with the phone.

Does anyone here have any knowledge or experience with buying an iPhone in Japan directly from Apple without phone service, and whether the phone is actually unlocked to take any SIM? The only other question is whether the Apple Pay compatible version of Mobile SUICA will take a foreign credit card, or if there is a no credit card (cash recharge option) account option, the same as I used on my Samsung.