ITOCHU Announces Entrance into Online Distribution of Mobile Devices

August 12, 2020

ITOCHU Corporation (headquartered in Minato-ku, Tokyo; Yoshihisa Suzuki, President & COO; hereinafter “ITOCHU”) announced today that it had entered into the online distribution of mobile devices through fully-owned (including indirect ownership) Belong Inc. (headquartered in Shibuya-ku, Tokyo; Daisuke Inoue, President; hereinafter “Belong”).

Expectations are rising for a new, unprecedented form of mobile device distribution against a backdrop of distinct plans that separate mobile device costs and usage fees, promoted by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications. Additionally, due to the effects of COVID-19, there is a need for new purchasing experiences using the internet rather than sales of mobile devices only at conventional stores.

Belong was established as a wholly owned (including indirect ownership) subsidiary of ITOCHU in February 2019 to create a new mobile-related business. The company has recently entered into the full-scale online distribution of mobile devices through its e-commerce site, NICOSUMA (https://www.nicosuma.com/ ), having conducted proof-of-concept experiments related to the online distribution of mobile devices, including sales, purchasing, and inspection of used devices.

Making use of ITOCHU’s knowledge in the mobile device distribution business and its overseas supply network cultivated over many years, NICOSUMA is a website selling high-quality, low-price used devices, determined through strict inspections, in addition to sales of a range of other devices. With the goal of offering considerate service to customers and devices based on the customer’s point of view and the needs of the market, development of the business will accelerate in the future with sights set on the overseas market, centered around Asia.

NICOSUMA Website Screenshot