Japan’s second biggest telephone operator, DDI Corp, formed in the mid-1980s, plans to move into international and local call services within the next few years by actively seeking tie-ups with other common carriers. DDI currently offers long-distance and cellular phone services and would not say which of three Japanese international operators it was eyeing for a tie-up. IDC Corp is already close to Nippon Telegraph & Telephone Corp and Kokusai Denshin Denwa Co may choose to link up with Japan Telecom Ltd. DDI said it did not know what would happen but expects to start the service within a couple of years. Prospects for reform of Japan’s telecommunications market remain cloudy because of the government’s indecision over whether to break up the giant Nippon, which holds more than 80% of Japan’s $82,000m telephone market.
