When Do You Need a Phone Number in Japan?
In daily life and travel in Japan, having a Japanese phone number makes various activities significantly more convenient. From integrating into everyday life and handling various administrative procedures to responding quickly in emergencies, a Japanese mobile phone number plays an essential role. T...
Having a phone number is essential for life in Japan, and this need becomes even more pronounced for foreigners staying in the country. In this article, we’ll explore specific situations where a phone number is necessary and provide a detailed guide on how foreigners can get one. Whether you're about to start your life in Japan or are planning an extended stay, this information will be invaluable. Be sure to read through to the end!
The Role of a Phone Number in Japan
When considering life or travel in Japan, having a phone number plays a surprisingly important role. Whether it’s for daily convenience, emergency situations, public procedures, or even communication with friends, a phone number allows you to smoothly access a wide range of services. Let’s take a closer look at the key roles a phone number serves in Japan.
- Convenient Life Services:For those accustomed to going out without a wallet, having a Japanese phone number makes it much easier to access services like payments, ordering food online, and using various lifestyle apps in Japan. Most services require phone number verification, which streamlines access and enhances security.
- Emergency contact: Japan is more prone to natural disasters compared to other countries. Having a Japanese phone number makes it easier to reach rescue and medical services, as well as to stay in touch with family during natural disasters or sudden health emergencies.
- Public Procedures:Foreigners newly arrived in Japan need to complete various official procedures, including resident registration, applying for health insurance, and opening a bank account. For procedures like health insurance applications and bank account openings, a phone number is specifically required and is used for identity verification.
- communication:In Japan, "LINE" is an essential communication app. A local phone number is often required to send messages to friends, share location information, make payments, or place orders at some restaurants.
In this way, a Japanese phone number is indispensable for various aspects of daily life. For foreigners planning to live or travel in Japan, having a local phone number will make their stay more comfortable and convenient.
Smartphone Apps Requiring a Phone Number in Japan
For foreigners living in Japan, having a Japanese phone number is extremely important. Using lifestyle service apps not only makes daily life more convenient but also significantly enriches the experience of living in Japan.
Here, we introduce several essential apps for life in Japan, which require registration or login using a Japanese phone number.
Payment Services
In Japan, electronic payments have become a staple of daily life, with many people able to go without carrying cash. A particularly popular payment app is PayPay, which requires a Japanese phone number to use. With PayPay, you can not only make standard payments but also request to split bills with friends or pay utility bills. Points are rewarded on every transaction, making it a very convenient option.
Reference: 公共料金をペイペイで支払うメリットとは? ポイント還元などについてもご紹介
Scenes from everyday life
Using lifestyle service apps can make daily life more convenient, though a Japanese phone number is required for many of these apps. For instance, Mercari is an online flea market app where you can easily buy and sell items like clothing, accessories, and electronics, making it a great way to save on living expenses. Tabelog provides reviews and ratings of restaurants across Japan, making it easy to find dining options. Additionally, Uber Eats offers quick food delivery, allowing you to enjoy a variety of restaurant meals from the comfort of your home.
Government Information
Mynaportal is an online platform provided by the Japanese government to manage individual My Numbers (personal identification numbers) and simplify various government-related procedures. To use Mynaportal, a Japanese phone number is required for identity verification and to receive important notifications related to procedures.
It offers a wide range of functions, including managing personal information, submitting applications online, issuing certificates, managing health insurance, responding to emergencies, and accessing public services.
For more information on Mynaportal, please refer to the following website.
Reference: マイナポータルのアカウント情報を登録するための操作方法(iPhone 用)
ticket Purchases and Lotteries
When purchasing concert tickets in Japan, a phone number is typically required to verify your identity during the process and to receive important notifications.
Additionally, a phone number may be necessary when entering a ticket lottery, which is commonly used for popular concerts or large events to ensure fair distribution. In these cases, participants register their phone numbers to receive notifications about lottery results.
Reference: 【完全攻略】ライブ・コンサートのチケットの買い方4選。先行と一般販売の違いは?
Social Media
LINE is an extremely popular communication app in Japan, used by 83.7% of Japanese smartphone and mobile phone users, with 80-90% usage among a broad age range from teens to those in their 60s. To use LINE, registering with a Japanese phone number is required. Although it is possible to create an account without a phone number, doing so restricts access to certain features, like payment functions, and may prevent account access if you switch devices without a registered phone number.
Reference: LINE利用率83.7%:10~60代まで8~9割が利用
Emergency Contact Methods During Disasters
In the event of an emergency in Japan, you can quickly reach emergency services such as the police, fire department, or ambulance to ensure safety.
However, during disasters, the demand for safety confirmations often surges, putting a strain on communication systems, which may make regular contact methods difficult to use. To prepare for these situations, the "Disaster Emergency Message Dial 171" system has been set up for reporting and checking on loved ones' safety.
With this service, individuals in affected areas can record a message about their safety, which family and friends can then access to confirm their well-being, enabling quick safety checks in emergencies.
Steps to record a message:
1. Dial “171.”
2. Follow the guidance and press 1.
3. If you are in the affected area, dial your home or contact number, including the area code. If you are outside the affected area, dial the phone number of the person in the disaster area, including the area code.
4. Record your message within 30 seconds.
For more detailed information, please refer to this site.
Essential Procedures Requiring a Phone Number in Japan
For foreigners coming to Japan for the first time, not having a Japanese phone number makes many documents and procedures significantly more difficult.
Below are common cases where a phone number is required:
- Resident Registration (Juminhyo): When moving to a new address, it’s necessary to update your residence registration at the local city or ward office, where providing a phone number as a contact is typically required.
- Health Insurance: In Japan, health insurance includes National Health Insurance (for self-employed individuals and freelancers) and Social Insurance (for company employees and public servants). When enrolling in National Health Insurance, a phone number is required as a contact to ensure prompt receipt of important notifications and confirmations.
- Driver's License: Whether converting a foreign driver’s license to a Japanese one, or when applying for a new license or renewing an existing one, a phone number may optionally be requested. This phone number is used for identity verification and to receive important notifications related to the process.
- My Number Card: This is an individual identification card issued by the Japanese government, which assigns a unique 12-digit number to every resident (both Japanese citizens and long-term foreign residents).When applying for a My Number Card, you may be asked to register a phone number to receive updates on the application process and communication related to the procedures.
- Bank Accounts: When opening a bank account, a phone number is required. It is used as a contact method for identity verification, as well as for security checks and transaction notifications.
- Visa extension or change: When extending your stay in Japan or changing your residence status, a phone number is required. The Immigration Bureau may request it as a contact point, allowing you to receive important notifications related to the procedures.
Having a valid Japanese phone number is highly recommended to ensure that these procedures go smoothly. Especially for lengthy processes or cases where additional documents may be required, a phone number provides a reliable means of contact.
For foreigners planning to stay in Japan, obtaining a Japanese phone number is crucial, as it makes accessing many public and private services easier and enhances overall convenience in daily life.
How to Get a SIM Card in Japan
So far, we’ve covered situations where a Japanese phone number is necessary, but do you know how to get a SIM card? There are various options for purchasing a SIM card, each with its own features.
Here, we’ll introduce the methods for acquiring a SIM card to ensure you have smooth and convenient access to communication services.
Purchasing Online
You can order a SIM card online before arriving in Japan, allowing you to start using the internet immediately upon arrival, which is highly convenient. Many telecom companies operate online shops, offering a variety of data plans and SIM card options. Notable providers include GTN Mobile, Rakuten Mobile, and au Mobile.
Purchasing at the airport
Major international airports (Narita, Haneda, Kansai International, Chubu International, etc.) have SIM card sales counters. Here, you can either purchase a SIM card directly upon arrival or pick up a SIM card pre-ordered online. The process is simple—just show your passport, and you can quickly receive and activate your SIM card.
Purchasing at Retail Stores
Many electronics retailers in Japan, such as Bic Camera and Yodobashi Camera, as well as some convenience stores, offer SIM cards. You can buy a SIM card in-store and complete the activation on the spot with staff support, making it easy even for foreigners who may not be fluent in Japanese.
How to Make International Calls from a Japanese Phone Number
After obtaining a Japanese phone number, you may need to make calls to your home country. Here, we explain how to make international calls from Japan to your country. Specifically, we’ll cover how to call four countries: Taiwan, the United States, China, and South Korea.
First, dial the international access number “010,” then enter the country code, followed by the area code (if required) and the phone number.
1. To call Taiwan:
・International access number: 010
・Country code: 886
・Phone number: (area code) + phone number
・Example: 010-886-2-XXXX-XXXX (for Taipei City)
2. To call the United States:
・International access number: 010
・Country code: 1
・Phone number: (area code) + phone number
・Example: 010-1-212-XXXX-XXXX (for New York City)
3. To call China:
・International access number: 010
・Country code: 86
・Phone number: (area code) + phone number
・Example: 010-86-10-XXXX-XXXX (for Beijing)
4. To call South Korea:
・International access number: 010
・Country code: 82
・Phone number: (area code) + phone number
・Example: 010-82-2-XXXX-XXXX (Seoul Special City)
By following these steps, you can easily make international calls from Japan to these countries. However, international call rates are typically high, so it’s recommended to choose a telecom provider that offers cost-effective plans or discounts for international calls. Additionally, using internet calling services like LINE or Facebook Messenger can help you save on call charges.
Reference: 日本からかける・送る(国際電話・国際SMS)|docomo
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Frequently Asked Questions:
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Conclusion
How was this article?
We have explained the importance of having a phone number in Japan, how to obtain one, and various situations where it can be useful. Having a Japanese phone number will make life more convenient and allow you to access a wide range of services smoothly during your stay in Japan. With this information in hand, we hope you enjoy a comfortable and enjoyable life or travel experience in Japan!
At GTN, our mission is "Making Your Stay in Japan Great". We offer diverse solutions to support foreign nationals and foster a cross-cultural society. Through addressing social issues, we strive to create an inclusive environment that enables individuals to live their lives to the fullest, no matter where they are in the world.
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