Nokia has announced it will stop manufacturing cell phones for NTT DoCoMo and Softbank Mobile.
Nokia executive vice president Timo Ihamuotila said in a statement that his outfit will continue producing its luxury Vertu brand, for now. But the current global economic climate, means that chucking money around investing in Japan-specific localised products is no longer a good idea.
While Nokia has 40 per cent of the worldwide market, Japan is tougher because its consumers want different things from the rest of the world. A nation which wants vending machines to dispense girls knickers installed in its hotels is always going to be a little tricky for company from Finland to understand.
Japan rejected Apple's Iphone 3G for not having enough gimmicks so you know a more serious technology company like Nokia is going to have trouble.
The market is saturated and the Japanese want third-generation networks that have TV broadcasting and electronic payment functions.
Nokia to pull out of Japan
By
Nick Farrell
on Dec 1, 2008 8:06AM
