Cell Phone

Hi, I am moving to Japan in August and want to get a prepaid phone, Does anyone know a good company to go with, that doesnt charge for incoming calls from within Japan or overseas, good rates for text msg, email and good rates to call within Japan and to the USA or Australia. Please let me know of websites or costs involved with limited paperwork to provide, eg passport.

Softbank and au are probably the largest prepaid phone providers. They have similar rates.

Things that are pretty standard include: free incoming calls, around 10 yen/6 sec domestic rate.

Au's site says they don't support email, only au to au text messaging. Softbank says it supports both and have a 300 yen unlimited mail for 30 days plan.

Au has international dialing to the US for 20 yen/12 sec while Softbank says you can make international calls but doesn't include their rates on their site.

The costs are for the phone (5000+ yen) and for your usage. Paperwork involves just your Alien Registration Card.

May I ask why you will be in living in Japan and for how long. Depending on why and how long you're here you may be better off getting a subscription plan as it may be cheaper. For example, if you are a student you can various discounts.

I forgot to post the prepaid websites for Au and Softbank

Au:

http://www.au.kddi.com/english/prepaid/index.html

Softbank:

http://mb.softbank.jp/mb/en/