Prepaid In Japan

[Yazcedric]

I have been reading this forum since last summer and I appreciate all of the valuable information posted by members in this forum. This is my first post to this forum.

Since I do have Japanese ID (driver's license) and use prepaid cellphone when I visit Japan, I can add some comment in this thread.

As other members pointed out, it is not easy (probably not available) to purchase a prepaid cellphone in Japan. First of all, only one out of three networks currently offers prepaid cellphone (Softbank - ex Vodafone Japan). Only THREE networks in Japan=very little competition. There is no concept that you can buy unlocked cellphone and insert prepaid SIMs in Japan. People in Japan frequently exchange newer POSTPAID cellphones for almost free at the cost of their phone bill (somewhat similar business model in the US). NTT Docomo and AU (Japan's no.2 cellphone company) stopped accepting new prepaid customers about 2 yrs ago due to the concern of "abuse" (such as drug dealers, organized criminal activity). I thought it was very silly decision and these companies completely ignored the existence of visitors to Japan like us.

Softbank is the only available option if you'd like to "purchase" its prepaid cellphone. However, you need to be a "registered" foreigner to Japan (ie, need to have "resident" status in Japan, not a short-term visitor) or have Japanese ID in order to purchase prepaid cellphone. This is why American military persons have access to Japanese cellphones. I think they might use POSTPAID cellphones as well because the cost of the calls may be cheaper in POSTPAID contract if you stay in Japan for a long time. BTW, these prepaid cellphones are "locked" at the hardware level by Softbank and I do not see any access its SIM card at least in my phone (Sharp, 201SH). Therefore, I cannot "unlock" my Softbank prepaid phone. As far as I know, Softbank does not offer any prepaid SIM card sale.

I usually purchase voucher (available prices are 3,000 yen ~$25 or 20 Euro and 5,000 yen) and recharge airtime once I arrive at Narita Airport. I usually purchase voucher (~2700 yen) from discount online shops and ask them to send a PIN by e-mail prior to my arrival. Since these prepaid phones are totally useless once you leave Japan, you need to recharge/use airtime while you are in Japan. The validity of airtime is 60 days and the phone number is valid for another 360 days after the airtime expires. You can receive incoming calls/messages for free. I think 3,000 yen voucher is good enough for 1~2wks' stay. You can use SMS, e-mail, and international phone calls (from Japan to other countries only, roaming in other countries is not available for PREPAID, but available for POSTPAID).

As other forum members mentioned, if you have 3G-compatible cellphone and prepaid/postpaid SIM card that accepts "roaming" in Japan, you can make/receive calls in Japan. I successfully used my Nokia E70 with Smartone-Vodafone HK (Hong Kong) prepaid SIM during my visit in December. I forgot the exact cost, but I remembered these calls were pricy. I noticed that Smartone-Vodafone HK "roamed" in either NTT Docomo or Vodafone Japan depending on the availability of network. Maybe I should consider 09...

Although this forum is for "prepaid cellphone", I agree that renting a phone at one of the Japanese airports that have international flights (Narita-Tokyo, Chubu-Nagoya, Kansai-Osaka, etc) may be the easiest way to use cellphone as a traveler in Japan.