Confirmation on the term "SIM free"

I have been planning to buy an iPhone 6 Plus while in Japan next month as for the first time, Apple stores in Tokyo are selling SIM free iPhones in-store. I have been reading contradicting articles/forums on the terms "SIM-Free" and "unlocked". Can someone please confirm this for me...it just doesn't seem right for a SIM-free phone to be at the price it is if it will only be locked down to one carrier.

maybe things have changed as according to Apple Online Store Japan (with the help of google translate) it states:
"All the features of the iPhone is equipped with the iPhone SIM Free, but there is no wireless contractual obligations. You can select your favorite businesses from telecom operators of wireless network corresponding NTT DoCoMo, KDDI, such as Softbank, and use it to activate the iPhone. For more information about SIM SIM and whether it is available, please contact your wireless service provider to use. The 6 Plus iPhone and iPhone 6 of SIM free, there are times when it does not correspond to the 4G LTE network in some countries. Please contact your wireless service provider for details.
If you do not want the service signed multi-year agreements, if you want to use the communication operators of local overseas, it is recommended that you choose the iPhone SIM Free. Since the nano-SIM card is not included with the 6 Plus iPhone and iPhone 6 of SIM free, please obtain a card from the telecom operators of the corresponding countries. Is inserted into the slot of the iPhone this card, if you turn on the power, please set according to the display on the screen. You can start using the iPhone in this."
i am not too worried about warranty as my brother in law lives there and i can always send it over if there are issues. Most of the iPhones here in the Philippines are carrier locked or imported anyway. i would just like to triple check so i don't get hyped up for nothing

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