China-based smartphone vendor Oppo will begin marketing its R11s smartphone in Japan on February 9 as part of its plans to further ramp up overseas shipments, according to industry sources.

Initially, Oppo will cooperate with Japan-based channel operators Bic Camera and Yodobashi Camera to promote its products targeting the SIM-free segment, said the sources.

Prior to its official debut in Japan, Oppo has set up a branch office in Tokyo, as well as a R&D center in Japan focusing on the development of related imaging technologies for smartphone applications, noted the sources.

Japan's smartphone market totals about 31 million units a year, with sales of SIM-free models accounting for nearly 10% of the market, indicated the sources, adding that Asustek Computer is currently one of the top-three SIM-free smartphone vendors in Japan.

With iPhone devices currently accounting for a 45% share in the Japan market and local consumers have strong affinity to local brands such as Sony Mobile, Sharp and Kyocera, it remains to be seen if Oppo can make significant inroads into Japan's smartphone market, commented the sources.