Pita-san says above that foreigners can definitely BUY (not rent, as we don’t want to, it’s cheaper to use our Australian phones over there instead) a prepaid phone in Japan, although this was never verified by Nathan as suggested.

I am assuming that foreigners can buy prepaid phones BUT ONLY IF THEY HAVE A RESIDENT VISA. So this would exclude travellers there on holiday visas?

Just wanted to clarify this, as we have tried to find a place to buy a prepaid phone in Japan on several occasions, and you need a visa, if you’re not residing there.

If anyone is keeping an eye on this post/thread/whatever (4 months without comments, so I wouldn’t be surprised if this was not the case) I wouldn’t mind knowing something about the mobiles in Japan as I will be over there soon for around 3 weeks.

Firstly, on the podcast three major carriers were mentioned - Softbank, Docomo and one that sounds like “Eiyu”. I can find info on the first two but I can’t seem to find any info on the last one. Did I get the spelling (or at least the romanised spelling) wrong?

Also, Peter-san mentioned that you could get a prepaid without the Gaijin card through Softbank. Does the same policy apply with the other carriers?

Since november 2005, the Gaijin Card is mandatory for prepaid phones in Japan.
http://mb.softbank.jp/mb/en/prepaid/purchase/registration.html

The only legal possibility for tourists is to rent a phone at the airport:
http://www.telecomsquare.co.jp/en/index.html

But don’t be afraid: most of the konbini or the small phone shops in town doesn’t know or doesn’t want to know the law and continue to lend phones to tourists with passport only.

Hey Liz21 great comment you really got me confused when I read it, I thought something else, then I figure out what you said! Yoshi-san has the best part in the bed right Liz21?

Finally this site is rated E for everyone don’t leave my precious children listeners behind ok! S_R_C

Please remember we have a Sweet 16 on this list.