Disney to launch Japan cell service

Walt Disney Co. will begin cellphone services in Japan in the spring by leasing a network from Softbank Corp., relying on the popularity of characters such as Mickey Mouse to win customers in the $81-billion market.

The service will be branded Disney Mobile. Subscriber targets and details on price plans haven’t been decided, said Softbank, Japan’s third-largest wireless carrier.

Burbank-based Disney will become the first reseller of both voice and data services in Japan. The move comes amid the company’s plans to end its own- branded mobile operations in the U.S. at year-end.