Sharp, one of the leading mobile phone makers in Japan is reportedly all set to begin selling its handsets in China, well ahead of the Beijing Olympics. Another reason for marching into the Chinese market seems to be that the Japanese market is nearing saturation.
According to Mikio Katayama, Sharp’s President, Sharp plans to sell its mobile phones in China by June 2008.
Katayama also added that Sharps intends to take advantage of China’s growing demand for high-end mobile phones, which Sharp has come to be known for. The company wishes to target the wealthy group in China, viewing them as potential customers.
By the year 2009, China’s mobile phone market is expected to reach a volume of 200 million handsets, which happens to be four times the scale of the current Japanese market.
Wit this newly announced commercial plan, Sharp will become the online Japanese mobile phone maker in China because other Japanese companies such as Panasonic have quit the Chinese market since 2006.