As part of its effort to sharpen its business focus and priorities, Nokia will discontinue mobile device sales and marketing activities in Japan. Vertu, Nokia’s line of luxury mobile devices will continue with strong focus on the Japanese market. Nokia substantial global R&D and sourcing operations in Japan will also continue unaffected. “In the current global economic climate, we have concluded that the continuation of our investment in Japan-specific product variants is no longer sustainable. Moving forward, in Japan, Nokia will concentrate on global R&D activities, focused opportunities like Vertu, as well as further development of Nokia’s sourcing activities,” said Timo Ihamuotila, Executive Vice President, Nokia. These plans will impact approximately 10% of Nokia Japan employees. Global R&D, Sourcing and Vertu activities to continue In Japan, Nokia has an important R&D center, which plays an integral part in Nokia’s global product development. These global R&D activities will continue unchanged. Nokia will also continue its significant sourcing activities in Japan. Japanese manufacturers are important partners who play a critical role in Nokia’s global supply-chain strategy and with whom Nokia continues to develop its world class logistics operations.

Source: more at Nokia