Why Rakuten Mobile is the ONLY Choice for Foreign Workers in Japan [2026 Guide]

“I have no idea which phone plan to choose in Japan…”

If that sounds like you, here’s the short answer: mobile phone retailers who specialize in serving foreign customers say the same thing every time — “Rakuten Mobile is the only choice.” The reason is simple.

Why foreign workers choose Rakuten Mobile

① Watch your favorite content from home — no limits

② Stay connected with family back home — worry-free

Both require truly unlimited data. In Japan, only Rakuten Mobile offers that.

Rakuten Mobile Referral Campaign — 14,000 points for MNP transfers

⚠️ Before you apply:
You will need to log in with a Rakuten ID at the application page. If you don’t have one, you can create a free Rakuten account in about 3 minutes.

🌏 Reason #1 — Japanese content is boring. Stream what you love from home.

Living in Japan means TV, news, and the internet are all in Japanese. Many foreign workers find it exhausting or just not interesting.

The solution almost every foreign worker relies on: using their smartphone to enjoy content from home.

🎬

YouTube

Watch videos in your language all day

📺

Netflix / TikTok

Dramas and trending content from your country

🎮

Online Gaming

Connect to overseas servers with no data cap

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Music Streaming

Latest tracks from your favorite artists at home

Using these every day can easily push your data usage past 20GB–50GB per month.

Most budget SIM plans and even some major carrier plans will throttle your speed long before you get there — making your phone practically unusable.

Data Plan Comparison
Carrier Monthly Data Cap Monthly Cost
Budget SIM (most plans) 3–20GB then throttled ¥1,000–2,500
docomo / au / SoftBank Unlimited available ¥6,000–8,000
Rakuten Mobile Truly Unlimited ¥3,278

Key point: Truly unlimited data for ¥3,278/month (tax included) is available from Rakuten Mobile only in Japan. That’s more than ¥4,000 cheaper per month than equivalent plans from major carriers.

📞 Reason #2 — Call and video chat with family back home. No worries.

For foreign workers in Japan, staying in touch with family and friends back home is an everyday necessity.

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LINE Video Calls

30-minute to 1-hour video calls — no data anxiety

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WhatsApp / WeChat

Group calls, photos, and video — send as much as you want

📞

Free Calls via Rakuten Link

Domestic calls are free when using the Rakuten Link app

✅ From a mobile phone retailer:

“We’ve helped customers from Vietnam, Nepal, the Philippines, Indonesia, and many other countries find the right phone plan. For every foreign customer, our recommendation is always the same: Rakuten Mobile. The combination of unlimited data and low price is simply unmatched.”

💰 How much can you save? A cost simulation.

If you’re currently on docomo, au, or SoftBank:

Switching from a major carrier (unlimited plan) to Rakuten Mobile
Major carrier monthly cost (unlimited) approx. ¥7,000–8,000
Rakuten Mobile (truly unlimited) ¥3,278
Monthly savings approx. ¥4,000
Annual savings approx. ¥48,000

On top of that, applying through the referral link gives you up to 14,000 Rakuten Points — worth ¥14,000.

Total first-year value

Annual data cost (¥3,278 × 12 months) ¥39,336
Referral point bonus (MNP transfer) -¥14,000 equivalent
Effective annual cost approx. ¥25,336

*Points are distributed monthly starting 4 months after your referral login month. Conditions apply.

📋 How to apply — a guide for foreign residents

1
Create a Rakuten ID (if you don’t have one)
Registration is free and takes about 3 minutes. Foreign nationals are welcome to sign up.
2
Go to the application page via the referral link
Use the banner or button below. You must apply through this link to receive the 14,000-point bonus.
3
Prepare your ID document
Your Residence Card (在留カード) works smoothly. A driver’s license is also accepted.
4
Activate your SIM when it arrives
Your SIM card arrives within about 3 days. Activation is quick and done on your phone.
✅ Foreign nationals are welcome: A valid Residence Card is all you need. All visa types are accepted — work visa, Technical Intern Training, Specified Skilled Worker, student visa, and more.

🔍 Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Can I apply if my Japanese is not good?

Yes. The online application is straightforward — just take photos of your documents with your phone. English support is also available.

Q. Can I keep my current phone number?

Yes. You can transfer your number via MNP (Mobile Number Portability). This also qualifies you for the full 14,000-point bonus.

Q. Can I cancel anytime?

Yes. There are no cancellation fees or lock-in periods. If you return home, you can cancel without any penalty.

Q. What happens when I visit my home country?

Rakuten Mobile includes up to 2GB of free data roaming in 68 countries and regions. Your plan keeps working during your trip home.

📝 Summary: Why Rakuten Mobile is the only choice for foreign workers

🎬

Stream your favorite content from home — no limits

YouTube, Netflix, TikTok, games — all with no data cap and no speed throttling.

📞

Stay connected with family — no worries

Daily video calls, long voice calls — use as much data as you need.

💰

¥3,278/month for truly unlimited — nothing else comes close

Less than half the price of major carriers for the same unlimited data. Save nearly ¥50,000 a year.

🎁

Get up to 14,000 points when you apply via referral link

Your first-year effective cost drops even further.

Mobile retailers who deal with foreign customers every day say it without hesitation: Rakuten Mobile is the only choice. The value is simply that clear.

Apply through the referral link now and start saving on your phone bill every month.

Rakuten Mobile Referral Campaign — 14,000 points for MNP transfers

⚠️ Before you apply:
You will need to log in with a Rakuten ID at the application page. If you don’t have one, you can create a free Rakuten account in about 3 minutes.

*All prices include Japanese consumption tax. Information current as of August 2026. Please check the official Rakuten Mobile website for the latest details.

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