2. Which one of the three options above should I choose?
Major network operators
Recommended for those who...
- want in-person customer service
- want a suitable plan from various options
- want a phone service right away
- want to buy the latest phone model along with a sim
- want to get a discount for SIM card
Monthly costs ranging from 2,500JPY to 15,000JPY
The major network operators are the companies that own their own network infrastructure to provide their customers with network services. There are currently four companies known as major network operators in Japan(as of June 2021). The communication quality and speed are stable and fast compared to the other service providers' services. The monthly cost is relatively higher compared to the others. All of them, except Rakuten UN-LIMIT, have physical shops all across the country to sell their services as well as to help their customers in person. Generally, they sell SIM cards along with the latest mobile phone models, but you can also make a contract only for sim cards*.
*In case you just want to get a sim card from them and use it on the phone you brought from overseas, the service provider must confirm that the phone you brought from overseas conforms to the technical regulations specified in the Radio Law by checking if there's a "Technical Conformity Mark" on the phone. If they confirm that the phone has the mark, you can opt to make a contract just for a sim card and use it on the phone. If the phone doesn't have the mark, you are required to purchase a phone from them along with a sim card.
List of the major network operators
- au by KDDI
- NTT docomo
- softbank
- Rakuten UN-LIMITED
Sub-brand services provided by the major network operators
Recommended for those who...
- don't need in-person customer service
- want to have a large data allowance per month
- don't mind waiting several days until a sim card is delivered
Monthly costs ranging from 1,000JPY to 4,500JPY
Sub-brand services provided by the major network operators refer to the simpler and cheaper services that are provided by the major network operators using their own network infrastructure. The cost for these services is relatively cheaper than their regular service plans. Most of them require online registration for their services. UQ mobile and Y!mobile have physical shops to sell their services as well as to help their customers. Communication quality is said to be more stable than the services provided by the MVNOs.
List of sub-brand services (major network operator providing the service in brackets)
- LINEMO (softbank)
- povo (au by KDDI)
- ahamo (NTT docomo)
- UQ mobile (au by KDDI)
- Y!mobile (softbank)
Mobal (Foreign company offering Japanese mobile phone numbers)
Recommended for those who...
- want to have Japanese SIM cards before coming to Japan
- has a International credit or debit card
- wants English customer support
Monthly costs ranging from 4,620JPY to 7,350JPY
Mobal is a foreign company that provides Japanese mobile phone numbers provided by Softbank. This company's SIM card can be picked up at the Naha Airport or delivered to your home by international shipping before coming to Japan. Usually, applying for a Japanese SIM card requires a residence card with a permanent address. However, this company's SIM card can be acquired only with a passport. It is one of the solutions for having a Japanese SIM card before you settle in at a permanent address.
what Mobal can provide
- The required document: only Passport
- How to pay: credit/debit card or cash **Initial cost needs to be paid by credit/debit card
- Application can be online
- How to obtain a SIM card: Pick-up at Naha airport or have it shipped to your house **It can be delivered to your house by international shipping before coming to Japan.
- Termination: The termination can be done through the Mobal account online.
Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNOs)
Recommended for those who...
- are looking for the cheapest option
- don't need in-person customer service
- don't need a large data allowance per month
- don't mind waiting several days until a sim card is delivong>
Monthly costs ranging from 1,000JPY to 3,000JPY
Mobile Virtual Network Operators are the network operators which rent network infrastructure from the major network operators to provide their customers with their services. The communication quality and speed are not as stable or fast as those of the major network operators because they only have a limited number of band channels allocated for them to use. The communication speed is said to decrease during the daytime or morning rush hours. The monthly cost is relatively cheaper compared to the major network operators. One of the advantages of subscribing for their services is that one can opt to buy just a sim card while the major network operators require the subscribers to purchase phones from them when subscribing to their services. If you have brought a phone device with you to Japan, it will be better just to buy a sim card from one of the MVNOs. One can also opt to buy a phone from some of the MVNOs as some of them sell smartphones for a reasonable price.
List of some MVNOs
