Business Feb 11, 2021
Will mobile carriers' price cuts boost smaller rivals or doom them?
by Kazuaki Nagata
Budget SIM providers face an uphill battle in differentiating themselves from the likes of NTT Docomo and SoftBank based on price and innovative services.
Business Feb 6, 2021
Japan's three major mobile carriers log higher operating profits
Thanks to the growing prevalence of remote work, all three major Japanese mobile phone carriers saw their consolidated operating profits increase year on year in April-December 2020, according to their earnings reports. The rosy results were backed by brisk earnings from services for corporate clients ...
Business / Corporate Jan 29, 2021
Rakuten cuts mobile fees for light users to maintain edge over bigger rivals
by Kazuaki Nagata
The firm now says it will lower the cost depending on the amount of data used within the space of a month, saying the fee will even be free for particularly light users.
Business Jan 13, 2021
KDDI unveils cheapest 20GB mobile plan among Japan's main carriers
by Kazuaki Nagata
Although the carrier had initially resisted price cuts, the situation changed after NTT Docomo surprised the public last month with its own new low-cost plan.
Business Jan 3, 2021
Nationwide 5G coverage unlikely in Japan for a few more years
Despite people's high interest in 5G, the services are only available in limited areas of the country at present.
Business / Corporate Dec 22, 2020
SoftBank to match NTT Docomo's ¥2,980 smartphone plan as price war escalates
by Kazuaki Nagata
Some in the industry have accused the government of excessive meddling after Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga’s administration urged major carriers to lower fees.
Business / Corporate Dec 3, 2020
NTT Docomo unveils ¥2,980 data plan, cheapest among Japan's top carriers
by Kazuaki Nagata
Unlike KDDI and SoftBank, Docomo does not have a budget brand and is set to lower fees for its main brand — a sign that the carrier is succumbing to pressure from the Suga administration.
Business Nov 20, 2020
‘Selling dog as mutton’: Mobile carriers dip on minister’s rebuke
by Gearoid Reidy
Shares in some of the country’s largest mobile phone carriers dropped in Tokyo after the communications minister accused the companies of deploying a bait-and-switch tactic in cutting the costs of mobile phone plans. Reducing the nation’s hefty mobile phone bills has been a priority for ...
Business / Corporate Nov 12, 2020
Japan telecom firms challenge $40 billion NTT Docomo takeover bid
In a letter to the communications ministry, 28 firms said the move "will prevent fair competition in the telecoms market and user benefit created through competition could be lost."
Business Nov 6, 2020
The car is taking fares from members of the public selected by lottery through a taxi-hailing app.