Voice calls options in Japan, as a foreign traveler

Now that the two laws that would restrict your cellphone usage in Japan are out of our way, let’s consider your options for voice calls in Japan. The data-only SIM is a totally different subject. We will discuss it later. Here, we’re talking about the cellphone options which enable you to make voice calls and SMS text messages in Japan.

Again, due to the reason (and a Japanese law) I wrote in Two Laws regarding cellphone in Japan : No.1 “Buying” a local SIM – June 23rd, 2014 you’re not going to be able to “buy” a local SIM or cellphone service with a voice-call capability anywhere in Japan if your stay is less than 90 days there or if you don’t have a Japanese passport with a Japanese address written in it. So, don’t bother to spend time trying to find one. (Again, you can buy a data-only SIM in Japan.)

Option 1: Use the international roaming option of your own carrier in your country. Option 2: Rent the voice-call capable cellphone or SIM in Japan at the arriving airport or elsewhere. Option 3: Have your friend or colleague who lives in Japan to purchase a local prepaid

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June 25th, 2014 | Tags: , , , | Category: Cellphone, How-To | 8 comments - (Comments are closed)

Two Laws regarding cellphone in Japan : No.2 Requirement of Giteki Mark (Certification of Conformance to Technical Standards) under the Radio Act

This page also works as my disclaimer that I am not actively promoting to you (a foreign traveler) to use your phone or wireless-capable electronics in Japan and that you’re on your own in terms of the responsibility and risk of using your wireless-capable devices there. I wish I did not need to say this, but there’re enough number of “negative” people against this matter, so I have to say this and prepare this article in the beginning.

 

The 2nd legal problem exists in Japan which makes it difficult for you, a foreign traveler to Japan, to use your own wireless electronics devices there, such as – cellphones, – tablets, – portable WiFi routers, – MP3 devices such as iPod Touch, – laptop computers, – digital cameras with WiFi or Bluetooth connection – wireless headphones – activity trackers with WiFi or Bluetooth connection – smartwatches with WiFi or Bluetooth connection or anything that “transmits” radio signals to the air.

The current Japanese law of Radio Act requires any wireless devices used in Japan, which emits radio signals to the air, to be tested and certified as conforming to the Japanese Technical Standards of radio waves. The testing is

Continue reading Two Laws regarding cellphone in Japan : No.2 Requirement of Giteki Mark (Certification of Conformance to Technical Standards) under the Radio Act

June 25th, 2014 | Tags: , , , , | Category: Cellphone, How-To | 7 comments - (Comments are closed)