Nokia gives up on Japanese market

Mobile phone giant Nokia is exiting the Japanese market, according to the Associated Press.

Nokia has partnered with Microsoft to make Windows Phone the primary software for its smartphones. The relationship is not exclusive for Microsoft so Microsoft could still sell Windows Phone software in Japan with other phone makers.

The chief executive of Nokia is Stephen Elop, previously president of Microsoft's Business division that makes Office and other software. Elop said the first Nokia Windows Phone will be ready in the fourth quarter of this year.

The AP report said Nokia had been selling a luxury line of phones called Vertu in Japan for as much as 250 million yen, $250,000 in US dollars, per phone. The report says Nokia will close its last Vertu store in July.

Here is the AP's report.

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