DoCoMo and Softbank Being Considered to Release iPhone in Japan

We all know Japan is a major player in the worldwide mobile phone industry. And with a mobile phone user number close to 100 million, Apple cannot ignore the Japanese market, not when they've already released the iPhone in Europe. According to sources, Apple is currently negotiating the release of the iPhone with both DoCoMo, the leading mobile phone provider in Japan, and Softbank, the company which released the Vodafone in the country. However, talks haven't been going as smoothly as planned as Apple is reportedly demanding too much a cut of the subscriber revenue. Both DoCoMo and Softbank chose not to comment but according to insiders:

"The negotiations are not going smoothly, as Apple's conditions are extremely hard to meet," the source said. "The ball is in Apple's court right now."

Steve Jobs has reportedly met with DoCoMo President, Masao Nakamura, in an effort to talk things through. Which of the two Japanese mobile phone giants would get the rights to the iPhone distribution in Japan? We could only wait and see.