Softbank Corp. said Wednesday that its April-June operating profit rose 44.9 percent from a year ago to ¥78.7 billon as its mobile phone unit pulled in more new customers than its competitors in the quarter.
Net profit reached ¥25 billion, up from ¥1.4 billion a year ago, while sales rose 34.2 percent to ¥663 billion.
Since entering the wireless telephone business with its acquisition of Vodafone Japan in April 2006, Softbank has slashed prices and energized the brand by using aggressive ad campaigns featuring Hollywood stars and more fashionable handsets.