Mobile Phones in Japan: Latest Information for 2024 – Rakuten Mobile Guide | Save Money with Employee Referral Campaign, Affordable Mobile Plans, and SIM Card Tips

Rakuten Mobile Employee Referral Campaign

You will receive 14,000 points for switching and 11,000 points otherwise.

※ Logging in with your Rakuten ID completes your entry.
※ After entry completion, both online contracts on this site and in-store contracts at Rakuten Mobile shops are eligible for campaign points.
※ You can try simulating your mobile phone charges on this site before signing up.
※ This site supports Japanese and English. After logging in, the Japanese page will be displayed. If you prefer English, please click "Price Plan in English" in the upper right corner.

Overview

In this article, we will explain the mobile phone situation for residents of Japan. There are four major mobile carriers in Japan. In addition to these, there are several MVNOs (Mobile Virtual Network Operators) that lease lines from the major carriers and offer services such as low-cost SIM cards. According to a survey conducted in September 2024, approximately 91% of people primarily use the major mobile carriers.

” September 2024 MNO Market Share and Satisfaction Survey”, MMD Labo (Japanese): https://mmdlabo.jp/investigation/detail_2372.html

Major Mobile Carriers in Japan

The major mobile carriers in Japan are NTT Docomo, au, SoftBank, and Rakuten Mobile. According to a survey conducted in September 2024, Docomo holds the highest market share. When looking at the usage rate as the main line, including its sub-brand ahamo, it accounts for approximately 37% of the share among the major carriers. On the other hand, Rakuten Mobile has shown the most significant increase in usage rate as the main device, rising by 1.6 points since the survey conducted in February 2024.

” September 2024 MNO Market Share and Satisfaction Survey”, MMD Labo (Japanese): https://mmdlabo.jp/investigation/detail_2372.html

Additionally, in a survey conducted in October 2024 regarding the service experience of mobile networks, au ranked first in the most categories, followed by Rakuten Mobile, which was selected as the sole leader in three categories. This survey evaluated the user experience of each company’s mobile network over a period of 90 days.

” Mobile Network Experience Report”, October 2024: https://www.opensignal.com/reports/2024/10/japan/mobile-network-experience

International Comparison of Mobile Phone Charges in Japan

Japanese mobile phone charges were previously said to be high compared to other countries. Since Rakuten Mobile entered the market as the fourth Mobile Network Operator (MNO) in 2020, other companies have also introduced cheaper plans, leading to a decrease in mobile phone charges in Japan. According to a survey conducted by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications in March 2024, Japan’s mobile phone charges are now at about the middle level compared to major overseas cities. The graph below shows an international comparison of the 2GB and unlimited plans of the top market share provider, but even when comparing other plans and providers, Japan is found to be around the middle level.

“Survey on Domestic and International Price Differences in Telecommunications Services”, Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, June 2024 (Japanese): https://www.soumu.go.jp/main_content/000951799.pdf

How to Apply for a Mobile Phone in Japan

You can apply for a mobile phone at the following locations:

Carrier Shops: At the direct stores of each carrier, staff will assist you with the contract procedures. The number of stores that offer support in foreign languages is increasing.
Electronics Retailers and Sales Agents: You can also sign up at large electronics retailers like Bic Camera or sales agents that handle multiple carriers. This allows you to compare and choose from various carriers.
Online: Applications can also be made through the official websites of each carrier. There may be online-exclusive discounts and benefits available.

Key Points of Mobile Contracts in Japan

In the past, Japanese mobile phone contracts often included a “2-year binding” agreement. This meant that the 2-year contract would automatically renew, and if you did not cancel during a specific month, you would have to pay a cancellation fee of about 10,000 yen for early termination. However, this has been abolished due to legal revisions, making it easier to switch to other carriers in the future.

Major mobile carriers offer family discounts when multiple family members join and bundle discounts for combining internet line contracts (such as fiber optic lines) with mobile contracts. Additionally, major mobile carriers provide internet connectivity options such as Wi-Fi routers and home routers (fixed routers that connect to the internet using mobile networks) in addition to mobile phones.