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Prepaid phone – Softbank mobile

Posted by: kirin on date

Jan 12th, 2011 | filed

The other day, I helped my foreign friend’s purchasing a prepaid cell phone in Japan. I decided to write a post about that, since this information is useful for those who need it while their stay in Japan.

Basically there are 3 major cell phone companies in Japan: Docomo, Softbank and au.

You may remember Docomo from its kawaii collaborated Q-pot phones and etc. Docomo is a cell phone brand created by NTT, the largest telephone network company in Japan.

If you are interested in iphone or ipad, you can only make a contract with Softbank. In other words, in Japan, Softbank is the only and absolute carrier of Apple’s products that require contract. Softbank has been doing pretty well, especially since they started to deal with iphone.

Au is a cell phone brand created by KDDI, the telephone network company, alternative to NTT.

Most of us will use the service that requires monthly basic fee, and post-payment for telephone bills. Prepaid SIM card phone, free from monthly basic fee, is not very popular in Japan. SIM is basically locked by the major cell phone companies as above mentioned. Nowadays it’s only Softbank that has prepaid phone service because it has frequently been used for crime or fraud in Japan. Prepaid phone market has shrunk in Japan.

Disclaimer: the image is from Softbank premobile

Let me share with you how you can get it in Japan.

step 1: Go to a Softbank shop or Donki (Don Quijote) preferably with a Japanese friend who has a cell phone.
*Softbank shop may run out of stock very soon, while Donki often has more stock.
*You cannot buy normal cell phone (post-paid phone with monthly basic fee) at Donki.

Let’s say you go to Donki.
step 2: Go to the prepaid phone floor and tell them you want to get a prepaid phone.
step 3: You will be asked to choose from a few unit options with different price range. The cheapest one is only for email and phone calls. The expensive ones have additional function, for example you can watch TV on your cell phone.

step 4: Prepaid card is 3000yen (or 5000yen) and it expires in 60 days since it’s activated, whether you use it up or not. In other words, you have to recharge it by purchasing another prepaid card within 60 days, if you want to make a call. You can keep your phone number for 360 days without being recharged by a new prepaid card, but you can only receive calls and emails, you can no longer make calls or send emails then.
step 5: By paying 300yen per month, you can send emails with no limit.

step 6: You will be asked to show your passport with your home address printed, and a contact phone number in Japan. (If you have no number, ask your reliable friend who already has an available phone number in Japan.) Also you will be asked to fill out the application form.
*Everything is to be explained in Japanese, you’ll have to fill out the application form in Japanese. This is why I say it’s better you take a Japanese friend with you.

step 7: You pay the money, and will be asked to wait for 30-60 minutes until your application is approved by Softbank. Inform them of the cell phone number of your accompanied friend’s so they can call him/her when they are finished.

step 8: You will be notified by the phone call from Donki to your friend’s cell phone whether your application is approved or not.
step 9: Go back to Donki and receive the phone with a phone number. It’s already activated by them. But you will only be able to confirm your email address after you make a phone call from the cell phone to the number (1400) printed in the manual. At first, your email address is “your cell phone number@softbank.ne.jp” but you can change your phone number part to some words or numbers or mixture that you like.
*Monthly 300yen (limitless email) will be deducted from the prepaid card when you call 1400.
*In case your application is declined, your money will be refunded at Donki.

step 10: The prepaid phone kit doesn’t include recharger. But you can also get it at Donki. The best thing is to ask them which one is suitable for your prepaid phone.

In case you have any questions or problems, you should go to any Softbank shops, not Donki. Cell phones are often used for crime in Japan. In case you receive emails from you don’t know well or strange emails that request you pay money, ignore them and ask for advice at Softbank store. If you set up an easy email address at step 9, you may receive spam mails.

Hope this helps!