CORRECTED - CORRECTED-UPDATE 2-Apple teams up with Softbank to sell iPhone i

TOKYO, June 4 (Reuters) - Apple Inc (AAPL.O: Quote, Profile, Research) will launch its popular iPhone in Japan this year, entering one of the world's most advanced mobile phone markets by teaming up with Softbank Corp (9984.T: Quote, Profile, Research), the country's aggressive No.3 operator.

The deal was announced by Softbank, which bought Vodafone Group's (VOD.L: Quote, Profile, Research) troubled Japan unit in 2006 and is still a long way behind market leaders NTT DoCoMo Inc (9437.T: Quote, Profile, Research) and KDDI Corp (9433.T: Quote, Profile, Research), although its share is steadily growing thanks to quirky marketing and price cutting.

Apple is widely expected to announce a new generation iPhone next week, with analysts betting it will have high-speed 3G data capability -- a much more competitive product in Japan where mobiles are used as much for Web browsing and email as they are for talking. [ID:nN02319008]

DoCoMo, which controls just under half Japan's mobile market, has also sought Apple's gadget for its customers and it was not immediately clear if Softbank would have exclusive sales rights.

"The key question is if the agreement would be exclusive and what kind of (revenue-sharing) agreement Softbank has entered with Apple," Macquarie analyst Nathan Ramler said.

"Apple typically goes with exclusive agreements, so chances are that this will also be exclusive."

Apple's iPod music player is widely used in Japan but some analysts doubt the iPhone will be as popular, given the advanced state of the mobile market.

The device allows Internet access and plays music, but most mobile phones in Japan have those functions and more -- such as TV viewing and video downloads. The iPhone would be a hard-sell especially if the price is high, they say.

"It's very rare that something popular in the U.S. comes to Japan and captures that much demand here," Shinko Securities analyst Tomohiko Okugawa said.

"Japanese consumers tend to stick to what they liked first ... It will need to offer something new and surprising to be a hit in Japan."

Softbank spokesman Fumihiro Ito said he did not have further details on the deal. Apple Japan spokesman Takashi Takebayashi also said he did not know any more details.

DoCoMo spokesman Shuichiro Ichikoshi said the company has not heard back from Apple after talks to sell iPhones. (Additional reporting by Mayumi Negishi; Editing by Hugh Lawson and Rodney Joyce)