CEO to step down later this month TOKYO — Apple Japan Inc.’s President may be trading iMacs for Big Macs after he steps down from the computer company later this month.McDonald’s Holdings Co. (Japan) Ltd. is ready to offer Eiko Harada the position of CEO, a company spokesman said Friday. Harada recently signaled his intention to step down from Apple Japan and is expected to leave the company shortly. In a letter sent to business associates, a copy of which was obtained by IDG News Service, he said he was looking forward to a challenge outside of the IT industry.If he moves to McDonald’s Japan he may find that challenge. The fast-food operator is locked in a fierce price battle with domestic rivals and is currently reeling from the hit to consumer confidence from a ban on imports of U.S. beef and bird flu, which has recently occurred in chickens in Japan and other Asian nations. It is forecasting a net loss of ¥7.5 billion ($70.8 million) for calendar year 2003. Harada’s appointment at McDonald’s will need to be approved by a shareholder’s meeting scheduled to take place in March. Should it be approved, he will take over as CEO from company Chairman Pat Donahue, who was been filling the position since company founder Den Fujita left the CEO position earlier in 2003.McDonald’s opened its first outlet in Japan in 1971 in Tokyo’s Ginza district. Last year Apple Japan chose the same part of Tokyo as the location for its first retail store in Japan and opened the shop to the public in December. Technology Industry