Walt Disney Co. said Monday that it is teaming up with Softbank Corp. to offer mobile phone service in Japan starting next spring branded “Disney Mobile.”

Softbank is currently Japan’s No. 3 cell service provider. Disney’s Japan unit added that it would cooperate on new handsets, mobile content, marketing and services.

“Disney brings its strong brand and legacy of developing great entertainment with broad appeal to our mutual venture,” said Masayoshi Son, Softbank’s chairman and CEO.

Disney said it would release more details later.

Disney is planning to lease Softbank’s mobile network and use Softbank’s stores to market phones and services.

Disney’s ESPN unit offered a branded cell service last year which eventually folded due to lack of customer interest.

Shares in Burbank-based Disney closed down 2.2 percent to $32.02 Monday in trading on the New York Stock Exchange.