Nokia, the world's biggest cellphone maker, said on Thursday it will stop selling mobile phones in Japan except for its high-end brand Vertu after struggling to expand its presence in the country.

Despite its global market share of nearly 40 percent, Nokia holds less than 1 percent of Japan's mature wireless market as its products have failed to lure consumers from high-performance Japanese-made devices.

"We have judged that we cannot continue to invest in product development just for Japan amid the current tough economic conditions," Nokia executive vice president Timo Ihamuotila said in a statement.

Nokia said it will keep the Vertu brand in Japan.

The Yomiuri newspaper reported on Saturday that the Finnish cellphone maker plans to launch mobile services of its own using the network of NTT DoCoMo Inc (9437.T: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz), Japan's biggest mobile phone operator, to cater to users of its luxury brand.

Nokia said it will continue its global research and development work in Japan.

Source:Reuters