Will it be SoftBank or J-Phone?

Since the news first broke that SoftBank was taking over Vodafone K.K., speculation has been rife in the media over the new name of the company. Several (including us) pointed out the logic that switching back to the former well-known and loved J-Phone brand would be a strong move to hit the ground running. However, local media reports over the last few days have carried leaked news stating that it may indeed be called ‘SoftBank Mobile.’ Better place your bets now because the official announcement is due to hit the wires in the next hour or so via a press conference at a downtown Tokyo hotel with SoftBank CEO Masayoshi Son and Vodafone’s Arun Sarin on hand.

(Update) It’s official: SoftBank Mobile wins! [.PDF]. The press conference live stream is here.

In a second short-notice press call to the local media, we also just got a tip that KDDI will make an announcement an hour later across town that involves Google! A busy day for mobile news here in Tokyo. Stay tuned.

– WWJ Editors