Japan's KDDI Corp breaks into U.S. mobile phone market

Tokyo (Japana) - Japanese mobile phone operator KDDI Corp. will break into the United States market in the coming weeks. The firm will first offer services catering towards Japanese tourists and residents and will eventually expand to other Asian minority groups.

KDDI will not built its own cell phone towers, but will piggyback on the Sprint-Nextel Network. The company promises to offer services in 49 out of the 50 states - sorry Alaska.

Reconfigured Sprint Nextel phones will be offered with Japanese keyboards and displays. Subscribers will also get discounted calls to Japan.

KDDI hopes to eventually service other Asian minorities including Chinese and Vietnamese.