Leading telecommunications companies in Japan are raising their smartphone data charges. This price increase comes amidst a push for greater competition within the country's telecom sector. The exact date and scale of the price hike haven't been defined yet. This move is expected to impact millions of consumers nationwide who are already burdened by high data costs.

In Japan, data and communication costs are a hot topic among consumers, given the high rates compared to other developed nations. Recently, the government is trying to promote competition in the tightly regulated telecom sector to drive down prices. Thus, any increase in costs by major carriers becomes a point of public interest and often sparks heated discussions about regulatory oversight and consumer rights.

In the US and EU, telecom industries are more deregulated and competition is high which usually results in lower prices for consumers. Price increases like these in these regions would likely lead to consumer backlash, regulatory scrutiny and potential loss of market share as customers switch to cheaper alternatives.