According to a recent AP article, Japan plans to "aggressively" push its mobile phones to markets outside the country. The plan specifically calls for the availability of the Osaifu-keitai or Japanese wallet phones around the globe. These phones are embedded with the tiny FeliCa chip, giving it the capability to pay for train tickets, vending machines, and even for goods at some stores. A similar technology is available in Europe and Singapore in the form of smart cards.

Older versions of the FeliCa technology are not compatible with global standards. The newest generation, however, can be used outside Japan and can be adapted for use in other countries. Other technologies the Japanese government is planning to market overseas include 3G cell phones with GSM that can be used in most countries, as well as 4G wireless connection. Of course, not everyone might be keen on getting angular, box-like mobile phones like the typical Japanese keitai, although the Taiwanese and South Korean markets are obvious targets.

*Picture: Japanese Felica-embedded phones from NTT DoCoMo