NEC, Casio Computer and Hitachi will integrate their mobile terminal businesses into one joint venture, creating Japan’s second largest cell phone maker.

The JV will launch next April. The move was expected since reports surfaced in August.

NEC makes mobile terminals for NTT DoCoMo and SoftBank Mobile that incorporate WCDMA, LTE, Linux, low-power consumption and ultra-thin technologies.

Casio and Hitachi formed Casio Hitachi Mobile Communications in 2004, focusing mainly on CDMA handsets for KDDI and SoftBank Mobile in Japan, as well as for Verizon Wireless in the United States and LG Telecom in the Republic of Korea.

The new company will be called NEC Casio Mobile Communications, with head offices in Kawasaki City. NEC will hold 66 percent, Casio 17.34 percent and Hitachi 16.66 percent.