Japanese businesses have been trailblazers when it comes to the use of internet and mobile technology. Two leaders in particular are eying overseas expansion in the face of domestic economic stagnation. Softbank and Rakuten, two very different yet equally ambitious Japanese firms, have been arranging foreign e-commerce partnerships at an astounding pace. And it could mean serious competition for Amazon.

Softbank, which combines solid financials based on its mobile, broadband and fixed-telecom businesses, has been increasingly investing in their internet service offerings. According to their latest company reports, mobile services remained the core business, with net sales of ¥1,701.4 billion ($18.2 billion) and 1,243,700 subscriber additions in FY2009 (April 2009-March 2010). More>>