At a press conference yesterday (7/30), NTT Docomo's president Yamada indicated that Docomo is still interested in obtaining the iPhone. He said they are bound by an NDA and cannot disclose anything at this time, however, they have not given up yet.
He also mentioned that the Android "Google phone" HT-03A has been Docomo's best-selling smartphone so far.
For the article in Japanese, see the k-tai.impress site (search for iPhoneにも意欲示す).
More than one acquaintance that works at NTT said that within NTT, there is a lot of chatter about the iPhone, and that there always has been. Generally speaking, the NTT rank and file believe that it is always just a matter of time.
When I asked one friend, he just smiled a tight lipped smile and said, "Just wait a little while. Just wait."
Also, don't you find it interesting that Yamada said he was bound by an NDA? You are only bound by an NDA if THERE IS an agreement in place!