Japan - Internet

Synopsis

Archived report: this report was archived September 2005 and has not been updated. Into 2005, Japan has the third largest number of Internet users after the USA and China, if mobile Internet users are included in the tally. By early 2003, Japan had finally overtaken South Korea in number of broadband Internet users, though China passed Japan in 2004. In particular, the growth of ADSL broadband has been spectacular and has energised Internet usage in the country. FttH Internet access was making impressive strides into the Japanese market. This report provides an overview of the Japanese Internet and ISP market, including the mid-2004 acquisition of the landline unit of Japan Telecom by Softbank, further establishing Softbank’s dominance as the largest ISP in Japan.