SOFTBANK PUSHING IPADS TO JAPANESE BUSINESSES

Softbank Corp. (TSE:9984) is stepping up efforts to market Apple Inc.'s iPads to companies, seeking to tap demand before rival tablet computers hit the market leading up to the year-end holidays.

Softbank is touting the iPad as a tool to improve productivity, citing a decline in Japan's international competitiveness.

Companies will be able to win by deftly wielding both the iPad and the iPhone, Softbank President Masayoshi Son said Wednesday before roughly 4,500 people gathered for a corporate seminar on the iPad.

With group firms using a total of 20,000 iPads and iPhones, Softbank is projected to save 450 million yen (US$5.5 million) a year on paper and printing costs, according to Son. And employees are said to save an average of 50 minutes a day, leaving more time for client visits.

Son also presented examples at other firms that have adopted the iPad, including BMW, AIG Edison Life Insurance Co. and Tostem Corp.

On Friday, Softbank will add 98 outlets selling the tablet computer to its current 16-store network.

Apple said Monday that it sold 4.18 million iPads worldwide in the July-September quarter. Despite the company's robust earnings, its shares fell, apparently on investor disappointment over the iPad sales volume. In Japan, about 400,000 iPads have been sold, according to a research firm.

Competition is expected to intensify, putting a strain on Softbank. Last month, Apple signed Internet Initiative Japan Inc. (TSE:3774) as a sales agent. IIJ will start selling Apple products bundled with device management and security services. Meanwhile, other firms are racing to introduce tablet computers.