Japan’s inflation headwinds grow as mobile carriers eye fee cuts

Battling inflation: An attendant interacting with a robot manufactured by NTT Docomo during a demonstration at the World Robot Summit in Tokyo last month. The company plans to cut mobile charges by up to 40 in the April-June quarter next year. — Bloomberg

TOKYO: Japan’s efforts to hit its elusive inflation target have been hampered by slow wage growth and intensifying global trade frictions but are now also facing headwinds from plans by the country’s biggest mobile phone carrier to cut fees.

NTT Docomo Inc said on Wednesday it would cut mobile charges by up to 40% in the April-June quarter next year, following government criticism that fees are left artificially high due to a lack of competition in the industry.