RIM strikes deal with Japan's NTT DoCoMo

RIM is taking its BlackBerry devices to Japan's corporates

Research in Motion is to make its presence felt in the Japanese market later this year, following its recent moves into China and South Korea. 

The BlackBerry maker has inked a deal with NTT DoCoMo to sell its mobile devices in Japan this autumn. 

NTT DoCoMo is Japan's largest mobile phone company with around 51 million subscribers.

The RIM products sold in Japan will be compatible with GSM/GPRS and W-CDMA networks to offer voice and data coverage throughout the world.

RIM co-chief executive Jim Balsillie told Reuters that the company is eager to enter the Japanese market because it has such a large corporate presence.

Figures for the sales expectations for Japan will be included in RIM's upcoming financial results on 29 June.

Balsillie said that RIM has now launched services with 170 carriers around the world and has plans to launch with a further 140.