The latest iPhone models hit store shelves Friday in Japan, drawing hordes of fans to retailers nationwide, while mobile giant NTT DoCoMo Inc. started selling the iconic handsets for the first time.
Since Apple Inc. unveiled two new handsets, the iPhone 5S and 5C, earlier this month, attention has centered on how big a splash DoCoMo would make at the iPhone party.
The nation's largest carrier has been desperate to strengthen its edge over its two biggest competitors, KDDI Corp. and Softbank Corp., both of which have boosted subscriber numbers in recent years by marketing the iPhone.