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.
National / Crime & Legal Jan 19, 2021
Tokyo police arrest two Chinese students over NTT Docomo e-money hacks
The two exchange students are suspected of transferring a total of some ¥700,000 into Docomo Koza accounts from Okayama residents' accounts in Chugoku Bank.
National Jan 9, 2021
NTT Docomo and MUFG Bank are working on jointly offering housing loan and unsecured loan services, aiming to reach an agreement by this spring, according to the sources.
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.
National Dec 14, 2020
Japan's public not heeding calls to limit movement in urban areas
The government has called for people to limit movement, but at JR Tokyo Station and Haneda Airport the volume of pedestrians was marginally higher Sunday than a week before.
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.