In an expected move, NTT DoCoMo is dropping all of their investment in DoCoMo AOL. It will become a 100% subsidiary of AOL, Inc. and be renamed to "AOL Japan."

On December 17th, DoCoMo AOL presented that it will become a 100% subsidiary of AOL (America o­nline), and will be renamed to "AOL Japan." The current acting company president, Taka Yamakawa, will resign. In his place will go the Vice President of AOL International's Asia Division, Brett Wayne who also become the CEO.

NTT DoComo and AOL began jointly offering cellular phone services in September of 2000. At that time, NTT DoCoMo became the chief shareholder, and began offering services dubbed "DoCoMo AOL."

In regards to the renaming to "AOL Japan," both companies have said that "the competition in the industry has become fervent, and we decided that it would be more efficient if AOL were to hold a 100% stockholder; so we suggested AOL buy up all of the stock."

The head of NTT DoCoMo's i-mode planning section, Takeshi Natsuno, and all unnecessary members of the i-mode formation team will retire. According to AOL Japan, all "AOLi" services currently offered to mobile customers will be continued.

Original Article:
http://internet.watch.impress.co.jp/cda/news/2003/12/17/1544.html

News Release (AOL Japan):
http://www.jp.aol.com/info/release/20031217.html

News Release (NTT DoCoMo):
http://www.nttdocomo.co.jp/new/contents/03/whatnew1217d.html