Feb. 6--TOKYO -- Softbank Mobile Corp. ranked first among Japan's mobile phone operators in terms of net service subscription gains in January, retaining top spot for the 21st consecutive month, according to data released by cellphone operators Friday.

Softbank Mobile secured 120,400 new contracts on a net basis -- fresh subscriptions minus cancellations -- reflecting the popularity of new handset models released by the company for the winter season.

Emobile Ltd. trailed Softbank Mobile with 71,700 new contracts, while NTT Docomo Inc. came third with a net gain of 64,300, attracting more new subscribers from rivals than it lost for the second month in a row.

KDDI Corp. was in fourth place with 12,600 new subscribers. The operator of the "au" brand service suffered a net flight of subscribers to other services for the fourth straight month.

Willcom Inc., which provides mobile services using a personal handyphone system, suffered its first net decrease in three months of 20,800.

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