Heading East

After closing up two MVNOs stateside, Disney is again taking a shot at launching mobile phone services, this time in Japan.

The media giant is partnering with Softbank, a relatively new Japanese mobile carrier in the world's biggest market of third-gen phones, according to Reuters.

The No. 3 carrier has been gaining on its competitors with low-priced plans. The partnership is an attempt to lure subscribers into more downloads and switch to pricier handsets and calling plans.

An analyst from IDC Japan says the new service will only attract around 100,000 to 200,000 users — the hardcore Disney fan.

Japan is seeing a major decline in PC sales. More and more, consumers are instead relying on connected media centers and handsets for what, Stateside, would be considered PC needs, such as entertainment and email.

Meanwhile, Disney launched a mobile site independent from US carrier decks last month. No word yet on a Japanese version.