It's not just about speed, though -- the new gear also supports interesting new services, including the ability to notify users when other users (for example, children) have entered the base station's range and reception of time- and location-sensitive coupons directly to phones presently attached to the cell.
First and foremost economics: China already is or will in time become that largest and fastest growing market for a range of Japanese exports, a key production base for its industrial companies, and a source of important imports, from finished goods, to parts, to primary materials and food.