Mobile Phone Contract
Sign up with a mobile carrier or low-cost SIM (MVNO). By law you must verify your identity, so bring your residence card; some carriers also need a Japanese payment method.
1 min readChecked against official sources 2026-06-14
Sign up with a mobile carrier or low-cost SIM (MVNO). By law you must verify your identity, so bring your residence card; some carriers also need a Japanese payment method.
Where: Mobile carriers (private). Identity verification is required under telecom law (overseen by the MIC). · When: Any time after you have a residence card.
Steps
- 1Choose a carrier and plan, and visit a shop or apply online.
- 2Verify your identity with your residence card (and My Number Card / passport if asked).
- 3Set up payment (credit card or bank account) and receive your SIM.
What to bring
- Residence card
- Payment method (credit card or Japanese bank account)
- MNP reservation number (only if keeping your current number)