Aiming to take advantage of booming inbound tourism, NTT Docomo Inc. and Laox Co. said Tuesday they will partner starting in October, in a bid to draw more business from foreign tourists.
Chinese and South Korean visitors to Japan who use Docomo's network for international roaming will benefit at Laox stores, the two firms said. Laox said one option is to give discounts to those customers at its duty-free stores, which sell goods including electronics, cosmetics and musical instruments.
Chinese visitors will need to make arrangements with China Mobile Communications Corp., and South Korean travelers will need to do so with KT Corp., to use Docomo's network for international roaming when they come to Japan.
Docomo has a tie-up with China Mobile, the country's biggest carrier, and KT, the second largest mobile network operator in South Korea.
This joint project is expected to boost international roaming revenue for the overseas carriers and Docomo. Meanwhile, "visitors will get discounts at Laox, while Laox will see more customers and sales, so this will benefit everyone," said Yoshikiyo Sakai, Docomo's vice president.
Docomo said it hopes to partner with carriers in other Asian countries in the future.