The iPad may be the king of tablets in some markets, but Apple’s device cannot compete with the Nexus 7 in Japan. Its premium price tag is causing tablet buyers to opt for Google’s 7-inch slate instead, despite its smaller display and lack of a rear-facing camera. One survey of Japanese electronics stores has found that the Nexus 7 has claimed 44.4% of the tablet market.

Market research firm BCN surveyed 2,400 consumer electronics stores throughout Japan back in December, and found that Apple’s iPad only claimed around 40.1% of the market, versus the Nexus 7’s 44.4%. Unsurprisingly, one of things that was most appealing to customers with Google’s slate is its inexpensive price tag.

The Nexus 7 is around $100 less than the cheapest iPad mini in Japan, according to CNET. In the United States, Google’s device starts at $199, while the cheapest iPad mini is $329.

The survey did note, however, that there has been a shortage of iPad mini supplies in Japan, which means the device hasn’t been easy to get hold of for some customers. This could be one of the reasons why the Nexus 7 has recently been more popular there, but the price differences are said to be the biggest factor for consumers.

Of course, you could argue that store surveys aren’t the most accurate way to determine tablet market share. But 2,400 stores would certainly give a good indication of which devices consumers are opting for.

More than 3.6 million tablets were sold in Japan during 2012, and that figure is expected to rise to 4.9 million in 2013, according to figures from IDC.

• ViaCNET