Japan Launch Ruled Out For BlackBerry 10 Smartphones

Previously known as Research In Motion, BlackBerry has confirmed that it won't launch its BlackBerry 10 smartphones in Japan, as it's not a large enough market for the company to invest in.

"We are in the process of launching BlackBerry 10 globally in key markets and we are seeing positive demand … in countries where it has already launched," a rep said. "Japan is not a major market for BlackBerry, and we have no plans to launch BlackBerry 10 devices there at this time."

"While it won't launch its forthcoming BlackBerry 10 devices in Japan, including the Z10 and Q10, a spokesperson confirmed that it'll "continue to support BlackBerry customers in Japan."

Japanese consumers usually have opted for the more popular ecosystems, according to research firm ComScore. Android accounted for 64 percent of Japan's smartphone market share during August 2012, while Apple's iOS settled for a 32 percent share.

Microsoft's Windows Phone platform followed in third place with 3 percent, which left a combined share of less than half a percentage point for BlackBerry and Nokia's Symbian.

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