Living in Japan

Japan Phone Contract: Carriers, Plans and Unlocking

By JAPN Published · Updated

Japan Phone Contract: Carriers, Plans and Unlocking

Choosing a Carrier

The three major carriers are NTT Docomo, au (KDDI), and SoftBank, with plans starting at roughly 3,000 yen monthly for basic data and voice. Budget MVNOs (Mobile Virtual Network Operators) using the major networks’ infrastructure include IIJmio, Mineo, Y!mobile, UQ Mobile, and Rakuten Mobile, with plans from 990 to 2,000 yen monthly for 3 to 20 GB of data. Rakuten Mobile offers unlimited data for 3,278 yen in areas with Rakuten network coverage. Contract terms have shifted from two-year commitments with early termination fees to more flexible monthly plans following 2019 regulatory changes.

Setting Up a Phone

Purchasing a phone separately and choosing a SIM-only plan typically provides better value than carrier-subsidized phone purchase plans. Unlocked phones purchased overseas work with Japanese SIM cards on all carriers. For residents, SIM contracts require a residence card, a Japanese bank account for auto-payment setup, and a Japanese phone number (creating a chicken-and-egg problem that prepaid data SIMs from convenience stores solve temporarily). eSIM activation is available from Rakuten Mobile and some MVNOs, eliminating the need for a physical SIM card.

Contract Types

Major carriers Docomo, au (KDDI), and SoftBank offer two-year contracts with the widest coverage and fastest speeds at 5,000 to 10,000 yen monthly for smartphone plans including 3 to 20 GB of data. Budget carriers (MVNO) including UQ Mobile, Y!Mobile, Mineo, IIJmio, and Rakuten Mobile offer identical coverage on the same networks at 1,000 to 3,000 yen monthly with some service limitations. Rakuten Mobile’s zero-yen plan for light data users has disrupted the market, though coverage in rural areas lags behind the major three. Contract activation requires a residence card, bank account for direct debit, and often a credit card. SIM-only plans without phone purchase are available and cheaper. Purchasing an unlocked phone separately from an electronics store and combining it with an MVNO SIM provides the most flexible and affordable setup. Phone numbers port between carriers, so switching to a cheaper plan later is straightforward.

The process of getting a phone contract has been simplified for foreign residents in recent years. Previously, the two-year contract requirement and cancellation fees created significant barriers. Current regulations require carriers to offer contract-free plans and SIM-only options. For the first weeks before establishing a contract, prepaid SIM cards from convenience stores and tourist SIM cards from airports provide immediate connectivity. The LINE messaging app is essential for social life in Japan, functioning as the primary communication tool for personal, business, and group interactions, equivalent to WhatsApp’s role in other countries.

Budget MVNO Options

MVNOs (Mobile Virtual Network Operators) offer dramatically cheaper monthly plans than the three major carriers by using the same network infrastructure without the retail overhead. IIJmio, Mineo, and OCN Mobile One provide data-plus-voice plans starting at 850 to 1,500 yen monthly for 3 to 5 GB of data, compared to 5,000 to 8,000 yen at Docomo, au, or SoftBank for comparable data allowances.

Rakuten Mobile occupies a middle ground as the fourth major carrier, offering its own network supplemented by au roaming, with a plan that charges zero yen for the first 1 GB (essentially free for light users), 1,078 yen for up to 3 GB, and 3,278 yen for unlimited data. Sign-up is available online or at Rakuten Mobile shops with a residence card and Japanese bank account. The coverage is weaker in rural and underground areas compared to the big three but sufficient for most urban residents. For new arrivals waiting for a bank account, prepaid SIM cards from Mobal and Sakura Mobile offer voice-capable SIMs activated with just a passport and residence card, at higher monthly costs (3,000 to 5,000 yen) but without the bank account requirement.

This content is for informational purposes only and reflects independent research. Details may change — verify current information before making travel plans.