Once upon a time, mankind had carried small tiny devices called pocket bells that left numeric codes that meant “Call me”, “Come Home”, “Emergency”, and so on. Later they allowed short messages and about 10 years ago, it changed to something much more convenient: cell phones. Back then there was nothing cellular about these devices; they were big and heavy.
Stores that sell Swarovski type stones and decorative key chains could be found all around Japan allowing everyone to customize their phone in their own ways. One does not decorate their PCs or their pens, but they decorate their cell phones because they are no longer a communication device but an item that makes one fashionable or is a part of that person.
Earlier this year, cell phones that could be used as credit cards and train passes were released under the name of “Wallet Cell Phones.” These phones could be used at convenient stores and at station buildings and later charged with your phone bill. Internet shopping sites have started their sites but for mobiles.
The overall view of mobile internet sites needs to be much younger as younger consumers view the site on their phones, but this is also the reason why many businesses feel that having a mobile internet site can expand their clienteles. Sales for cell phone shopping increased by 59% in 2005 to 154.2 billion Japanese yen, an expanding market that is still on the rise.
Japan's Department Stores Association will open a portal site for consumers to view all of their Department Store members' sites on their cell phones. Department Store World, a cell-phone internet site has been operating from 2003 and have been gaining viewers little by little. The site introduces event schedules, brands each store holds, information on membership cards and etc.
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