Softbank says to sell iPhones for Y23,040 in Japan

TOKYO, June 23 (Reuters) - Softbank Corp (9984.T), Japan's third-biggest mobile phone operator, said on Monday it would sell Apple Inc's (AAPL.O) iPhones for 23,040 yen in Japan.

Softbank and bigger rival NTT DoCoMo (9437.T) had been fighting for the right to launch the iPhone in Japan. Softbank won a contract to sell the much-hyped device from July 11, but DoCoMo said it had not given up on talks.

Earlier this month, Apple unveiled a new iPhone with faster Internet access that will run on advanced wireless networks. It said it would sell the new model for as low as $199 -- half the current entry-level price. (Reporting by Sachi Izumi)