Apple reportedly is in talks with both DoCoMo, Japan's top telecom, and Softbank, the country's No. 3 mobile carrier about carrying the sought-after iPhone.
In all the markets that Apple has launched the iPhone, the company has made exclusive operator deals and, according to reports, required substantial shares of subscriber revenue.
According to a report in The Wall Street Journal, Apple could be asking for as much as 10% of subscriber revenue from its carrier partner. Apple is still negotiating with DoCoMo over the possibility of partnering for the iPhone's launch in Japan, but according to the report, if the two can't reach an agreement Apple will likely turn to Softbank, which has been working to increase its subscriber numbers.