Japan

Softbank
SoftBank Mobile Corp, previously as Vodafone K.K. (also known as Vodafone Japan) and J-PHONE, is the Japanese subsidiary company of mobile phone operator SoftBank. SoftBank Mobile operates W-CDMA (UMTS 3G) network ("SoftBank 3G"). SoftBank's 3G network is compatible with UMTS and supports transparent global roaming for existing UMTS subscribers from other countries.

APN settings
 * username: (blank)
 * password: (blank)
 * APN name: smile.world

AU by KDDI
CDMA 1X WIN (1xEV-DO Rev A) service

NTT docomo
WCDMA / UMTS

APN settings
 * username: Mopera U
 * password: (blank)
 * APN name: mpr2.bizho.net

eMobile
E-Mobile uses UMTS Band IX frequencies and it is next to impossible to find any phone supporting those frequencies and accepting SIM card.

B-Mobile
B-mobile is a MVNO operator of NTT Docomo

APN settings
 * username: (blank)
 * password: (blank)
 * APN name: bmobilewap

Foma

 * User name: bmobile@fr
 * Password: bmobile
 * APN name: dm.jplat.net

Softbank
You have to buy the SIM card with a handset at first - you may either buy a handset or rent it, see here. Store staff will not sell you a prepaid SIM card without a phone. You can only make voice calls and send text messages/MMS.

Following documents are required when applying for a mobile service:


 * Driver;s license
 * Passport
 * Certificate of alien registration - The applicant must be eligible to stay in Japan for 90 days or more.
 * Health insurance card + proof of your current address
 * Basic residential registration card

There is only one prepaid plan available:

You may connect your handset to a PC or laptop via USB cable and use it as a modem.

How to top up
You may top up your mobile via:


 * Online recharge by credit card via SoftBank Website. More details are here.


 * Bank Transfer - transfer money via ATM using Pay-easy service.More details.


 * Prepaid cards. 3000 JPY(38.97$) and 5000 JPY (64.96$) prepaid cards are available at convenience stores, SoftBank Shops and via SoftBank Mobile Website. Bought cards should be registered for use. For card activation do the following:

1. Dial 1400 and press Call button (a toll-free call).

2. Press 2.

3. Enter < Prepaid Card Number > + < # > (Scratch the card to get the card number)

4. Confirm card number - if the number is correct, press #; if incorrect, press 0 and enter the number.

5. Press 9 to finish.

Account is active for 60 days after Prepaid Card registration. Number is valid for 360 days after account expiration date.

eMobile
eMobile have some phones but they are more specialized in data services, so if you are going to use any of their prepaid plans then you also need one of their devices.

When subscribing to eMobile service you get an USB key with self-installing software, a data-only SIM and unlimited traffic. You should use the USB dongle, as it is not allowed to put the SIM-card into other devices. Which means that at least in principle you can't use your smartphone to connect to the Internet.

Or you may subscribe to EMOBILE G4 Standard Plan and pay as you use - 63 JPY / 0.82$ per 1 MB with the maximum speed equal to 42 Mbps.

How to top up
You can top up your account online with any of the following charge amounts: 2,000 JPY / 25.98$, 3,000 JPY / 38.97$, 3,150 JPY / 40.92$, 5,000 JPY /64.96$ and 5,250 JPY / 68.21$

B-Mobile
Data-only SIM-cards are available for visitors with no restrictions. B-Mobile SIM-cards can be bought in major electronics stores, such as Bic Camera, Yodobashi, Softmap, Sakuraya, etc. But the minimum purchase period in these stores is for 3 months or more. You can have the card delivered on a specific day within a 3 hours window, to any Japanese address such as a hotel you are staying. APN comes with the instruction booklet. You can clearly find it even if you don't read Japanese.

How to activate
Card must be activated by using a Japanese mobile phone to a toll-free number, OR a toll call through any other means (Skype for example). English speaking customer service representatives are available. Once the call is made, the card is valid for 10 days. They will send a confirmation number by snail mail to you. Once that confirmation number is sent back to them (through e-mail), the card will become fully activated.

AU by KDDI
AU by KDDI do have prepaid plans, but you have to use them in an AU phone...

To get prepaid services you have to buy a prepaid phone and prepaid card, then register for usage start-up. In case you want to continue using prepaid services, just register each new prepaid card. You can also check the registered balance and remaining usage days.

Prepaid cards can be found nationwide at AU Shops, PiPit, convenience stores and distributors.

Charged fees and call usage periods

Prepaid card types

How to activate
You should register for usage start-up.Follow these instructions when registering additional prepaid cards.


 * Dial 1400 on your phone.


 * Following the voice guidance, dial 1 (card registration).


 * Next, dial the <16 digit card number> on the back of the prepaid card, and then press #. This completes registration of usage start-up. Your balance and remaining usage days are announced after registration is finished.

How to change voice guidance language
If you do not select a foreign language, all voice guidance will be in Japanese. So to switch to English do the following:


 * Dial 1407 on your phone.


 * Select 2 - that would be for English.


 * That's it. All further voice guidance will be in English.

NTT docomo
At the moment there are no prepaid plans available for NTT docomo. But they promise to introduce to two prepaid data billing plans in December, 2011. see details


 * Prepaid Data Plan 20h will cost 980 JPY / 12.73$ for 20 hours of access to the DOCOMO 3G network (max. 128 Kbps downlink / 64 Kbps uplink) over a 30-day period.


 * Prepaid Data Plan 100h will cost 4,980 JPY / 64.7$ for 103 hours of network access (max. 128 Kbps downlink / 64 Kbps uplink) over a 180-day period.