Fujitsu plans to release smartphones outside Japan in 2013 for the first time by targeting senior citizens with user-friendly devices. Masami Yamamoto, Fujitsu president, unveiled the strategy Dec. 27 during an interview with eight media outlets, including The Asahi Shimbun.

Fujitsu expects its mobile phone shipments to rise from 8 million units in fiscal 2012 to 10 million in fiscal 2014.

As part of its overseas strategy, Fujitsu will sell its "Raku-Raku Smartphone" (easy-to-use smartphone) in the United States and Europe after making certain modifications for each country. Fujitsu released the Raku-Raku Smartphone in Japan this past summer.