Japan's largest mobile operators – NTT DoCoMo, KDDI Corporation and Softbank Mobile Corp – announced the formation of Japan NFC Consortium, an effort by the three competitors to set standards for NFC technologies.

The statement from the operators said that by ensuring adherence to these standards, mobile users in Japan, either residents or those traveling to Japan from other countries, will not have to worry about NFC compatibility. Additionally, the announcement said the consortium is looking to create an environment for service providers to offer NFC services based on common standards.

Unlike collaborations between rival mobile network operators in other countries, the Japan NFC Consortium does not aim to provide a service of its own, only to provide guidance on standards.

Services based on FeliCa, a different standard for contactless transactions, have been available in Japan for some time. However, the standard doesn't adhere to international NFC standards, potentially putting the Japanese carriers at a disadvantage when sourcing handsets from international manufacturers, and affecting Japanese travelers ability to use NFC services when traveling abroad.

According to an announcement by the operators, the new consortium will work with service providers and handset manufacturers to ensure compatibility with its standards.

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