Apple’s long-awaited reveal of its next-generation iPhone 5S and budget iPhone 5C on Tuesday was paired with another major announcement: a new partnership with Japan’s largest mobile-phone carrier, NTT Docomo.
As part of the company's general presentation, Apple senior vice-president Phil Schiller announced that NTT Docomo will be added to the list of networks currently offering the iPhone in Japan. 
In a statement, company CEO Kaoru Kato said, “We’re thrilled to offer the incredible new iPhone 5S and iPhone 5C to our customers. We know our customers will enjoy the amazing experience of iPhone on Docomo's high-quality network.”
SEE ALSO: iPhone Dominates Japanese Smartphone Market
The announcement is something of a milestone for both companies, as Apple and NTT Docomo have been locked in fruitless negotiations for years. Still, the iPhone gradually won over Japanese users by teaming up with Docomo rivals, including Softbank and more recently, KDDI.
According to a report in Japan’s Nikkei, NTT Docomo is also considering adding the iPad to its product lineup later this fall, as well as offering a special deal that would combine the iPhone and iPad in one package at a discount price.
The official launch of the iPhone with NTT Docomo is slated for Sept. 20.
Image: Mashable, Nina Frazier