After a continued dismal performance at its Japanese wireless unit, Vodafone indicated it is now in talks with Softbank of Japan to offload the business. Intense competition has eroded Vodafone's market share in Japan. But is the move to sell off the unit enough to satisfy unhappy Vodafone investors who have been pressuring the world's largest mobile operator to sell its stake in Verizon Wireless? With AT&T acquiring BellSouth, there is much more pressure on Verizon to buy out Vodafone's ownership in Verizon Wireless. The offer might be too good for Vodafone to pass up and risk more ire from investors--even if that means not having a presence in the U.S. market.

To read more about Vodafone's plans to sell its Japanese unit:
- check out this piece in The Wall Street Journal (sub. req.)