During a Q&A session at NTT DOCOMO's shareholder meeting on June 20, an executive fielded a question about DOCOMO selling the iPhone 3G, aggressively holding up the company's touch-panel phones as fully able to stave off the iPhone, while noting that DOCOMO remains in talks with Apple.

New CEO Ryuji Yamada, appointed that same day, offered a little more detail in June 23. Admitting to surprise at the 3G's low hardware price, he noted the device's appeal while reiterating the strength of DOCOMO's offerings: "I think the young user segment is seeing the iPhone as attractive. Everyone looked at it with wonder when it was introduced last year, but DOCOMO has also introduced touch-panel models like the PRADA Phone and the SH906i."

On whether the iPhone will sell in Japan: "We won't know until sales begin. Naturally, I think users will swamp shops upon release, but how long will it sell in Japan? We'll be watching closely."

On working with Apple: "We haven't given up on offering the iPhone. But our discussions with Apple are under confidentiality agreements, so I can't clarify anything now."

http://k-tai.impress.co.jp/cda/article/news_toppage/40543.html (Japanese)