Japan's carriers plan $14bn spending blitz for nationwide 5G

Apr 11, 2019 | News On Japan

Apr 11, 2019 (Nikkei) - Japan's government on Wednesday approved plans by four mobile network operators to build superfast fifth-generation wireless networks, with investment set to total 1.6 trillion yen ($14.4 billion) over the next five years.

Applications submitted by NTT Docomo, KDDI, SoftBank and Rakuten were approved by the communications ministry. E-commerce group Rakuten is a newcomer that plans to begin 4G services in October.

Docomo and KDDI plan to invest a minimum of 795 billion yen and 466 billion yen, respectively, in 5G. SoftBank has earmarked 206 billion yen, while Rakuten plans 194 billion yen.

All four providers plan to begin commercial 5G services in 2020, later than the U.S. and South Korea, where 5G networks launched last week.

The government wants industry to build out 5G infrastructure widely, from big metropolitan areas to rural regions. It expects the technology, which offers speeds up to 100 times as fast as 4G, to enable self-driving buses and telemedicine, and to help Japan combat its worker shortage.

The conditions required for receiving 5G spectrum included starting services in every prefecture within two years. The communications ministry also divided Japan into 4,500 blocks, requiring operators to set up base stations in at least half of them within five years. Docomo and KDDI each plan to achieve coverage of more than 90% in that time. SoftBank and Rakuten set less ambitious goals, at 64% and 56%, respectively.

Typhoon Nos. 28 and 29 Bring High-Wave Risk to Pacific Coast

Typhoon Nos. 28 and 29 are expected to remain well away from Japan, but waves of 3 to 4 meters could reach parts of the country's Pacific coast from around October 10, with Typhoon No. 28 moving west near Minamitorishima at about 40 kilometers per hour as of 6 a.m. on October 8.

Tokyo University Professor Wins Nobel Prize in Chemistry

Tokyo University of Science professor emeritus Kenzo Soai has been awarded this year's Nobel Prize in Chemistry together with French chemist Henri B. Kagan for discoveries that transformed scientists' understanding of how chemical reactions can favor one of two mirror-image forms of a molecule.

US Military Halts All Okinawa Operations for 48 Hours

The US military suspended activities by all forces stationed in Okinawa for 48 hours from noon on October 7, an unusual measure following the arrest of a US Marine in connection with a robbery and murder case that has renewed scrutiny of crimes involving American service members.

Qilin Hacker Detained in Japan

A core member of the international ransomware group Qilin was detained in Japan and handed over to German authorities, according to people familiar with the case, as Japanese companies and institutions face a growing wave of cyberattacks that has exposed nearly 15 million pieces of personal information this month alone.

Year of the Sheep Postcards Arrive in Hokkaido

New Year postcards for 2027 arrived at post offices across Hokkaido on October 6, with designs featuring sheep for the upcoming Year of the Sheep as Japan's traditional New Year card market continues to shrink.

MEDIA CHANNELS

MORE Society NEWS

Twin Brothers Busted Stealing Copper from Shrine Roof

Twin brothers have been arrested on suspicion of stealing copper roofing from a remote shrine in Kochi Prefecture, as police investigate a series of similar thefts reported at about 10 shrines across the prefecture since around September 2025.

Year of the Sheep Postcards Arrive in Hokkaido

TV Talent Dewi Sukarno Fined 200,000 Yen for Assault

The Tokyo District Court on October 6 fined television personality Dewi Sukarno, widely known in Japan as Dewi Fujin, 200,000 yen after finding the 86-year-old guilty of assaulting two women who worked for her agency, including a former manager.

US Marine Suspected of Strangling Woman With Hotel Phone Cord

A 20-year-old US Marine arrested over the robbery and killing of a woman at a hotel in Naha, Okinawa Prefecture, may have strangled her with the cord of a telephone installed in the room, investigators said.

Teen Boys Accused of Beating and Abducting 17-Year-Old

Five boys aged 15 to 17 have been arrested on suspicion of robbing and confining a 17-year-old high school student in Akishima, Tokyo, after allegedly beating him with a baton, taking his cash and forcing him to travel around on motorcycles.

Bar Owner Arrested Over Disposal of Girlfriend's Body in Mountains

A 36-year-old Tokyo bar owner was arrested on October 5 on suspicion of abandoning the body of his 25-year-old girlfriend in a mountainous area of Miyagi Prefecture, with police also investigating whether he was involved in her death.

Danjiri Float Overturns in Osaka, Injuring 11 During Festival

Eleven men were injured when a traditional danjiri festival float overturned while attempting to make a sharp left turn at an intersection in Sakai, Osaka Prefecture, on the evening of October 3, with all victims conscious when transported to hospitals and none suffering life-threatening injuries.

Fire Breaks Out at 'Haunted' Restaurant in Osaka

Police are investigating a possible case of arson after a fire broke out in the parking lot of a closed restaurant in Daito, Osaka Prefecture, early on October 3, damaging approximately 460 square meters of the property, which has become a popular gathering place for young people after being featured online as a haunted location.

< 2 3 4 5 >