iPhone Is No. 1 in Japan

Counterpoint Research has released its Country Market Share Report for Q4 2012 which names Apple leader of the pack in Japan’s phone market.

Apple had 16% of the phone market in the fourth quarter of 2012 and 15% in the entire year of 2012, making the No. 1 spot for the first time on a whole year. Counterpoint Research points out that Apple has actually been No. 1 in Japan since November 2012.

According to the research company, Apple took Sharp’s crown after six years of domination by the Japanese electronics vendor.

“For the full year of 2012 it was a close call between the three top players in Japan, but Apple rose to supremacy when all was said and done,” Counterpoint reports.

Apple was also aided by operator competition in Japan which reportedly “catalyzed the iPhone’s success, but at the expense of Japanese firms.”