Apple's iPhone could launch in Japan

By Editorial Team (Wednesday, 19th December 2007)

Apple is in talks to launch the iPhone in Japan in 2008, it has been reported.

The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) has reported discussions between Apple's chief executive Steve Jobs and Masao Nakamura, company president of Japan's largest mobile carrier NTT DoCoMo.

A spokesperson for Nakamura confirmed the meeting but did not comment further.

There have also been reports of meetings with other operators, such as Softbank, with the WSJ speculating that Apple's percentage of revenue could be a major sticking point.

Apple has previously stated that it intends to launch its signature mobile phone in Asia at some point during 2008.

However, Japan has been seen as a difficult market to break into, with tight controls over handset designs, branding and a different network standard that is not compatible with the current iPhone handset.

There has been mixed speculations over the iPhone's potential success, although blog and review website whatjapanthinks.com has claimed that "Japan will love it".

Apple has so far declined to comment on reports of the negotiations.

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