If you're looking into getting 楽天 モバイル 非 居住 者 (Rakuten Mobile as being a non-resident), you've probably realized that Japan's telephone contract rules really are a bit of a maze. It's one of the almost all common questions intended for people moving in order to Japan, visiting for a couple of months, or even those who utilized to live there and wish to keep their Western number while living abroad.
The short answer? It's complicated. Japan has its own pretty strict laws and regulations about mobile mobile phone identification, and Rakuten Mobile, despite being the "new, awesome kid" on the block, has to follow them just like everyone else. Let's break down the actual deal is intended for non-residents and exactly what your actual choices are.
The particular big hurdle: What does "Non-Resident" actually mean?
In the world of Japanese telecommunications, your position usually falls in to two buckets: you either have a Residence Card (Zairyu Card) or you don't. When folks research for 楽天 モバイル 非 居住 者 , they're often discussing one of 3 things.
Initial, there's the short-term visitor or tourist. If you're here on a 90-day visa-free entry, you are usually, by law, a non-resident. Second, there are people who are usually in Japan on a mid-to-long-term visa but haven't registered an address however. Third, there are usually the "expats" who lived in Japan, got a Rakuten SIM, and have now moved back to their home country but desire to maintain the assistance active.
When you don't have a valid Residence Cards with a registered address on the back, signing up for a standard Rakuten Mobile voice plan is basically impossible. Japan's "Act on Identification, etc. by Mobile Voice Communications Carriers" needs a government-issued ID that proves you reside in Japan to prevent phone-related fraud.
Why people want Rakuten Mobile phone anyway
It's easy to observe why the keyword 楽天 モバイル 非 居住 者 is so popular. Rakuten's "Rakuten Saikyo Plan" is incredibly appealing. It's cheap, it offers unlimited data in Japan, and—most importantly for people travelling back and forth—it includes 2GB of totally free international roaming in dozens of nations.
If you're a "non-resident" which spends half their own time in Japan and half their time elsewhere, having the Japanese number that works globally with no extra fees is a total game-changer. As well as, it's all managed through an app, which feels the lot more contemporary than the old-school carriers like Docomo or AU.
Are you able to sign upward if you're simply visiting?
Let's be real: in the event that you're a visitor, you can't get a standard Rakuten Mobile SIM card. You'll see Rakuten stores in nearly every retail complex, but they'll request your Residence Card (Zairyu Card) or even a Special Permanent Resident Certification immediately. A passport isn't enough for a voice-call allowed SIM.
Nevertheless, there is a slight workaround in case you specifically require data. While Rakuten itself doesn't marketplace a "tourist SIM" under their main brand, many MVNOs (smaller carriers) make use of the Rakuten network to supply data-only SIMs intended for travelers. But if you're looking intended for the actual Rakuten Saikyo Plan with the 070/080/090 phone amount, you're out associated with luck without that residency status.
The "Moving Away" scenario
This particular is where the particular 楽天 モバイル 非 居住 者 discussion gets fascinating. What goes on if you were a resident, you signed up for Rakuten, and then you left Japan? Probably you're now technically a "non-resident" regarding tax purposes because you live in the US or European countries.
Technically, in the event that you have a Rakuten Mobile account, you are able to keep it as long as your payment method remains valid. Many people do this so they can keep their Japanese cell phone number for bank 2FA (Two-Factor Authentication) or just to possess a working SIM the minute they land back again at Narita or even Haneda.
Simply keep in brain that if your own Residence Card expires and Rakuten requires for a re-verification of your IDENTITY (which they from time to time do for "Know Your Customer" compliance), you might operate into a walls. But for probably the most part, once you're in the program, you're in.
Documents you'll need if you're a "New" Resident
If you've simply arrived in Japan plus are technically a resident but sense like a "non-resident" because you're still in a hotel or Airbnb, here's the key. You can't apply until you've visited your nearby Ward Office (City Hall) and registered your address. Once they print that will address on the back of your own Zairyu Card, you're good to proceed.
Here is usually the checklist associated with what you'll want: 1. Residence Card: Must have the existing address on the back. two. Japan Bank Account or Credit Card: This is usually the second hurdle. Rakuten is fussy about foreign bank cards. It's a bit of a gold coin flip whether a foreign Visa or even Mastercard will function. 3. Rakuten ID: You require to set this particular up beforehand. It's the same accounts you'd use with regard to shopping on Rakuten Ichiba.
The Credit Card Struggle
Even if you have the particular residency status, several "non-residents" (in the particular sense to be fresh to the country) fail at the payment stage. Rakuten Mobile loves the Rakuten Cards. In case you try in order to use a charge card through your home nation, the device often spits it out.
If you're having difficulties with this, the easiest way around you should set up "Automatic Transfer" (K口座振替) from a Western bank account. But wait—opening a loan company account like a brand-new resident is the own level of hell. It's a bit of the "chicken and egg" problem. You require a phone amount to obtain a bank account, and you need a bank account in order to get a telephone number.
In this case, lots of people start with a travel SIM or a more "foreigner-friendly" MVNO such as Mobal or Sakura Mobile, get their particular banking account sorted, plus then MNP (transfer) their number to Rakuten Mobile afterwards.
Will there be a way for the true non-resident to get a quantity?
If you absolutely, 100% do not live in Japan and don't have got a residence cards, you can't obtain a Rakuten Mobile voice SIM. It's only the law. However, in case you just need a Japanese number regarding receiving SMS, right now there are some digital number services out there, though they are usually becoming increasingly rare mainly because of those exact same strict ID laws and regulations.
Most people within this situation turn out using data-only eSIMs like Airalo or Ubigi when they visit. They don't give you a Japanese cell phone number, but they give you the data you need to navigate Google Maps and use LINE.
Maintaining your Rakuten SIM while abroad
Let's say you've managed to get the SIM plus now you're making Japan for a yr. You're being a 楽天 モバイル 非 居住 者 in the eyes from the city office because you're filing your moving-out notice.
Don't cancel your Rakuten line! It's one of the cheapest methods to keep a Japanese number active. If you use less than 3GB associated with data, it is only about 1, 080 yen a month. And since Rakuten uses the "Link" app, you can actually make phone calls and send text messages to Japanese quantities at no cost as longer as you're on Wi-Fi or using data. This is usually a massive godsend for dealing with Western government offices or banks while you're overseas.
Just be careful in regards to the data. You obtain 2GB of global data for free of charge, but when you hit that, it throttles to a crawl. You can buy more, but it's better to simply use a regional SIM for information and keep the Rakuten SIM for "emergencies" and incoming text messages.
Wrapping this up
Trying to navigate the particular 楽天 モバイル 非 居住 者 situation basically boils down to your ID. For those who have a Residence Credit card, it's a smooth (if slightly bureaucratic) process. If you're a tourist or someone living outside Japan with simply no previous ties, the "Front Door" will be effectively locked.
The best technique for most people is usually to wait until they have their particular physical Residence Credit card in hand, proceed to an actual Rakuten store to avoid the online payment errors, and after that enjoy the cheap data. If you're just visiting, stay with travel eSIMs—they're a lot less of a headaches than trying to bypass Japan's tight telecom laws.
It's not always the particular answer people want to hear, but the actual "rules of the particular road" saves a person a lot associated with time sitting within a store only to be told "no" after an hour of waiting. Asia loves its paperwork, and Rakuten Mobile phone is no exemption!