After taking hit, after hit, after hit from Apple, Samsung is gearing up for another battle as Apple is out to get them–this time in Japan.

Apple filed a lawsuit in the Tokyo District Court aiming to ban sales of three Samsung products: Galaxy S, Galaxy S II and Galaxy Tab 7.  And the first hearing was held just yesterday.  Apple claims that Samsung slavishly copied the interface and physical appearance of the iPhone and iPad with their Galaxy series products.   Aside from product ban in Japan, Apple is also seeking ¥100 million or $1.3 million in damages.  The Tokyo District Court declined to comment on the issue.

Apple was successful in Europe as the Galaxay Tab ban was reinforced after a brief period of ban-lift and a Dutch court banned sales of Samsung Galaxy S, Galaxy S II, and Ace smartphones in some European countries, then their Galaxy Tab 7.7 was pulled out of the IFA.  Apple was also successful in Australia, as the launch of Samsung’s tablet was delayed much further.

Apple and Samsung spokespersons released heated statements directed at each other.

“It is no coincidence that Samsung’s latest products look a lot like iPhone and iPad, from the shape of the hardware to the user interface and even the packaging,” said Seoul-based Apple spokesman Steve Park. “This kind of blatant copying is wrong and we need to protect the Apple’s intellectual property when companies steal our ideas.”

“Samsung will actively defend our intellectual property rights in Japan in order to ensure consumers can continue to enjoy our innovative mobile devices without interruption,” said Samsung spokeswoman Chenny Kim in Seoul. The company “will continue to pursue Apple for its ongoing violation of our wireless technology patents.”

Apple sought out to sue Samsung in Japan as a form of retaliation, as Samsung previously sued Apple in Japan.  But Apple’s action is seen by some as a form of “sour-graping,” as Samsung’s Galaxy S sold more units compared to Apple’s iPhone in Japan.  And with NTT Domoco’s, Japan’s leading mobile carrier, launch of the Galaxy Tab 10.1, Samsung may also trump over iPad sales in Japan.

“We have heard from Samsung that it’s all right,” NTT Docomo President Ryuji Yamada told reporters at the launch when asked about the patent battles. “At this point we don’t think it will harm our sales.”