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Torrential interest or not, Japan's Softbank is set to welcome Apple's iPhone 3G to its island-soil. As the exclusive iPhone carrier in Japan, Softbank will be doing its best to get an iPhone 3G into the hands of every single one of the 9%, or more, of the Japanese population that indicated interest in the next-generation iPhone.

Softbank's announcement for the iPhone 3G's pricing structure falls in line quite nicely with what we've come to expect. That is to say, the 8GB iPhone 3G will be sold for 23,040 yen ($215), while the 16GB variant of the iPhone 3G will cost 34,560 yen ($320). Both prices mirror the iPhone 3G's $199-$299 price in the US and is apparently staying true to Steve Jobs's promise of a maximum price of about $199 for the iPhone 3G 8GB.

Reuters expects most iPhone 3G hopefuls to fork over 7,280 yen ($68) per month for their iPhone rate plan. Masayoshi Son, Softbank CEO, says that the iPhone is set to bring in 70% more revenue than they have seen in the past.

But, with iPhone 3G stock in Japan seemingly not able to meet projected demand, many Japanese iPhone hopefuls will likely have to wait for a secondary iPhone 3G shipment before they can get their hands on the iconic device. "We expect the first lot to evaporate instantly. We in the company will probably fight to get one as well," Son said. "Supplies will likely be scarce for a while."

As for the rest of us, see you in line!

[Via: Reuters]

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In a country full of mobile devices that can pay for your food, let you watch live TV, surf the web at broadband speeds, and even wash your clothes (ok, maybe not), it's not too surprising to hear that less than one-tenth of the Japanese population is interested in snatching up an Apple iPhone 3G.

The iPhone 3G is slated to launch simultaneously in a couple dozen countries on July 11, Japan included. And, that means there are going to be surveys cropping up that attempt to project real-world demand for the iPhone 3G.  The latest such survey, conducted by iSHARE, showed that, out of 402 Japanese internet users aged 20-49 years old, a whopping 91% indicated that they could care less about the iPhone.

iSHARE's survey was conducted after SoftBank's announcement that the iPhone would be coming to Japan, but before the iPhone 3G's official unveiling at the Apple WWDC 2008, so the survey results could be slightly skewed by the first-generation iPhone's lacking feature-set. The iPhone 3G's more rounded and extensive spec-sheet could appeal more to the same surveyed demographic - although iSHARE conjectures that the non-removable battery could be a weak-point for the iPhone 3G.

[Via: TechOn]

It's good to be in Japan these days as all carriers will be announcing their summer collections. SoftBank already announced it will bring the iPhone to the Land of the Rising Sun, and now it's time to show the rest of its cards. Let's quickly go through all devices they'll be rolling out this summer:

• Sharp 923SH - sports 3.3-inch WVGA screen with AQUOS branding. Early July launch.
• The Premium Waterproof 824SH from Sharp - at just 15.3mm, this is the world's thinnest waterproof phone (or at least a clamshell). Early July launch.
• Panasonic Tropical 823P - another waterproof phone. Late June launch.
• Sharp PANTONE Slide 825SH - the only slider in the collection, sports integrated motion sensors. Coming in early July in choice of eight colors.
• NEC 821N. Another stylish clamshell. Early July launch.
• Panasonic Mirror II 824P - features WQVGA display and some glossy surface that apparently changes color when you look at it from different angles. Early August launch.
• Toshiba 824T - with a jewel-like surface and matching color options, this one is targeted towards women. Unfortunately for them, it will be launched in early September.
• NEC 821N GLAMOROUS is a fancier version of the NEC 821N model, launched in collaboration with GLAMOROUS Magazine. Extra features include custom designed shells, themes, wallpapers, and ringtones. Launches on September 6th.
• NEC 820N - boasts a 11.7mm-thin stainless steel body as well as 3-inch display, and is hitting the market in early July.
• Toshiba 823T - awesome looking clamshell comes with the so-last-year 2 megapixel camera. Launches early September.
• Panasonic 921P - dual-flip design with VIERA branding and 3.1-inch WVGA display. This is definitely one of those devices that make you cry you're not in Japan. Launches in early August.

That's it for now. I'm certain we'll hear more about these babies in the near future. Stay tuned… and/or check out one more image of all devices mentioned on a single screen after the jump.

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Apple's iPhone partner in Japan has been announced - it's SoftBank. The short release states:

SOFTBANK MOBILE Corp. today announced it has signed an agreement with Apple to bring the iPhone to Japan later this year.

Engadget notes that it's interesting to see whether they'll get a 3G iPhone. SoftBank is a W-CDMA (UMTS 3G), not GSM/EDGE carrier, a fact that points them to believe Japanese mobile phone users will be amongst the first to enjoy the 3G speeds on their shiny phones.

We'll watch this carefully, have no doubt about it…

Disney Mobile has already shuttered the doors to its US-based MVNO operations, but that doesn't mean the Disney-branded network operator isn't going to give it its all in Japan. With network time leased from Japan's Softbank, Disney Mobile is looking for a more successful Japanese-run this time around.

As such, Disney Mobile has announced its second branded handset in Japan - the Sharp DM002SH clamshell. For all those Disney fans out there, the Disney Mobile Sharp DM002SH boasts a Cinderella theme that should appeal more to the female demographic for obvious reasons - like coming pre-installed with loads of Cinderella-themed media (ringtones, wallpapers, etc.).

The Sharp DM002SH features a 2.6-inch QVGA display, OLED external display, 2 megapixel camera, microSD slot, and one-seg TV. And, with a choice of Pink Diamond, Clear Crystal or Brown Topaz (Pink, Silver, or Gold) colors, the Disney Mobile Sharp DM002SH should keep Disney Mobile customers happy. Look for Disney Mobile to go live with this beauty on June 7th.
[Via: Akihabara News]

Three giants — China Mobile, Softbank, and Vodafone — have agreed to establish a Joint Innovation Lab (JIL) to "promote the development of new mobile technologies, applications and services."

The JIL will focus on the rapidly growing areas of mobile internet services, such as mobile widgets. Initially, the JIL plans to develop a platform for mobile widgets to encourage the development of innovative new services that can leverage mobile operators' unique capabilities. The JIL also welcomes the co-operation of vendors and developers in the creation of new applications and services.

The establishment of the JIL and completion is subject to regulatory approvals and certain customary closing conditions… Full release is available on PRNewswire.

Panasonic has announced the sale of it's 100 millionth Mobile phone in Japan. It has supplied devices to carriers including NTT DoCoMo, KDDI, and Softbank.

Pansonic first began selling mobile comms terminals in 1979 - the first mobile phone being in 1987. Since then Panasonic has gone on to be Number 1 or Number 2 in the Japanese market for several years. The 100 millionth unit will be a FOMA P905i sold to NTT, for those that are interested.

That is some quantity of devices to get through - although not maybe as much as some other notable vendors, it's still a milestone in it's own right - well done Pana!
[Via: Techshout]

You mean companies can sue for copyright infringement on the design of a particular handset? That must have been news to Toshiba, seeing as how they blatantly copied a RakuRaku handset made by Fujitsu. You see, the Toshiba Kandan Keitai 821T is an almost carbon-copy of the Fujitsu Foma RakuRaku Phone III, prompting NTT DoCoMo and Fujitsu to get their lawsuit-on with Toshiba in the cross-hairs.

The suit states that Fujitsu has been designing the RakuRaku phones for senior citizens and that Toshiba has copied the RakuRaku Phone III's button layout and interface, with a body that bears a striking resemblance to the original. DoCoMo apparently warned Softbank prior to the launch of the Tosh 821T, but Softbank decided to launch the 821T as a handset for the "junior population." DoCoMo is seeking to have Softbank Mobile pull the Toshiba 821T off the market.

Something tells us that NTT DoCoMo and Fujitsu has a pretty strong case on their hands. This isn't China…

[Via: GearFuse]

What a trooper. Disney Mobile, the defunct MVNO that closed-up shop in the US after less-than-stellar sales, is up and at it again. After falling off the US-horse, Disney Mobile is trying again in the Japanese market - as we expected.

This time around, the tenacious MVNO has teamed up with Softbank to offer some co-branded handsets that glitter like Disney's renewed hopes in a new MVNO market. The Disney Mobile DM001SH, that you see pictured here, is the first handset offering from the revived MVNO - basically a rebranded Sharp 821SH. In addition to the Disney branding, the DM001SH offers the same 3G radio, 2 megapixel camera, 400 x 240 display (60 x 32 external display), one-seg mobile TV, and FeliCa that you'll find on the Sharp 821SH.

Disney Mobile Japan is aiming at the 20-30 year old female demographic (which presumably consumes more Disney content than US 'tweens). And, with color choices like "Shiny Silver," "Sparkling Pink," and "Glittering Gold" we're sure the female demographics will be more than a little receptive. The service will launch on March 1 with a bit more flash than in the US.

[Via: TechOn]

We previously reported that the largest wireless operator in Japan has been in talks with Apple to bring the coveted iPhone to the island-nation's NTT DoCoMo network. Well, today we get confirmation straight from NTT DoCoMo that Apple is indeed working with the Japanese network to bring those edgy-Japs a bit of minimalist-style.

"It is true that Mr. Steve Jobs of Apple Inc. and our president (Masao) Nakamura held a meeting," an NTT DoCoMo spokesman said in a statement to the Agence France-Presse,. Unfortunately, NTT DoCoMo wasn't all that forthcoming with information regarding the timing of the iPhone's Japanese debut or even what Apple and NTT DoCoMo were talking about.

Now, we are also hearing that Apple is in talks with another Japanese network operator, presumably to hedge their bets and make sure the iPhone makes it to Japan one way or another. Softbank Corp., Japans No. 3 carrier, has been rumored to have made business trips to Cupertino to discuss the iPhone exclusivity deals. Apple could be working both sides of the Japanese market to make sure they can land the revenue-sharing deal that's turned the whole manufacturer-carrier model on its head.

We're not going to expect a Japanese iPhone launch before the middle of next year, perhaps in line with the Asian launch that we're looking for in China. Ears to the ground, folks. Ears to the ground.

[Via: Yahoo]