According to this article on the Mainichi Shimbun, National Police Agency figures released for 2008 show that over 63 percent of calls for emergency services in Japan come from mobile phones. Results showed that a total of 5,165,795 calls were made from mobile phones, up 1.5 percent from the same period the previous year and the biggest year-on-year increase for the period.

In order to trace the source of mobile phone calls, which are harder to track than land line calls, police in 21 prefectures, including the Metropolitan Police Department, have introduced location data reporting systems, with police in 10 other prefectures, including Aomori, planning to buy similar systems by the end of June this year.

We found the statement above rather odd over-due considering that the fed. mandated all handsets sold in Japan from spring 2007 have GPS installed for this exact reason..?!?

Related posts:

1. GPS Mandate Set to Take Effect
2. KDDI WINs With Mobile Flat Rate; and Half-Price Calls to Mom
3. DoCoMo 3G Subscribers Become Majority
4. Japan Mobile Phone Sales for Q2 of 2007
5. Intercarrier TV Calls and Other J-Phone 3G Musings

Some sage advise when entering new turf; Stop, Look and Listen.. it’s also good to secure a local guide. Japan is the cradle of mobile civilization – we have been dedicated to this space since 2001 – trust our archives here offer some useful material.

Domestic activities continue to set the pace, and sharp players are looking at global markets. We have hard-earned industry expertise and trusted network of contacts with access to advanced intell. and potential deal flow. Need a lift.. Ok, buckle-up!