Last verified: August 16, 2025 (JST)

If you're new to Japan, the question isn't only "Which plan is cheapest?", it's "Which one can I actually sign up for without wrestling with Japanese forms?" After helping countless foreign residents navigate Japan's mobile carrier landscape, the answer is remarkably clear: for an end-to-end English-friendly experience, Rakuten Mobile is the least painful option by a significant margin. The core application guides, signup flow, and eSIM setup are comprehensively documented in English, and the "about 3 minutes" activation claim for eSIM-compatible phones is accurately stated right on their English website. This isn't marketing exaggeration—it's the reality of a carrier that built its service specifically to welcome international residents from day one.

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The English Support Reality Check

Understanding exactly what "English support" means at each carrier is crucial because the term gets used loosely in marketing materials while the practical reality often disappoints. Let's cut through the vagueness and examine what you'll actually encounter when trying to sign up and use each service.

Rakuten Mobile: Full English Experience from Start to Finish

Rakuten Mobile stands out with comprehensive English documentation that covers the entire customer journey, not just promotional overview pages that dead-end when you try to actually apply. Their entire application process, from initial account creation through identity verification to final eSIM activation, operates entirely in English through their dedicated English website at network.mobile.rakuten.co.jp/en/. The Online Application Guide walks you through each step with screenshots and clear explanations, eliminating the guesswork and confusion that typically accompanies setting up essential services in a foreign country.

The eSIM setup process genuinely delivers on its "about 3 minutes" activation promise once your eKYC (electronic Know Your Customer) verification completes—assuming you have an eSIM-compatible device and follow the straightforward instructions. Physical SIM cards typically arrive within 2-3 days via mail, also with English documentation included. Beyond the signup phase, Rakuten maintains English support for ongoing customer service through phone (0800-805-0805, 9:00-17:00 JST) and online chat, account management through the English sections of the my Rakuten Mobile website and app, and troubleshooting guides for common technical issues.

This comprehensive approach means you're never stranded trying to decipher Japanese error messages, navigate untranslated menus, or rely on Google Translate's sometimes-questionable interpretations during critical account management tasks.

ahamo: Great Value, Japanese-Only Application

ahamo (DOCOMO's online brand) delivers excellent value with generous data allowances, superior network coverage, and included international roaming—but only if you're comfortable navigating everything in Japanese or have reliable Japanese-speaking assistance available. Even DOCOMO's own English information page at www.docomo.ne.jp/special_contents/viet/eng/ explicitly states that "the application site is only available in Japanese" and suggests using your browser's auto-translation feature to attempt navigating the signup process.

While browser translation can technically work for basic page content, it struggles with dropdown menus, error messages, and the precise terminology used in mobile contract agreements—creating real risk of misunderstanding contract terms or missing critical steps during application. If you're fluent in Japanese or have a Japanese-speaking friend or partner who can assist with initial signup and potential future troubleshooting, ahamo's technical advantages may outweigh the language barrier. But for solo foreign residents without Japanese language support, the entirely Japanese interface and customer service represent significant practical obstacles that shouldn't be dismissed.

LINEMO: English Explainer, Japanese Application

LINEMO takes a similar approach to ahamo, publishing an English explainer website at www.linemo.jp/language/ that describes plans, features, and benefits in readable English. However, they clearly state throughout the site that the actual application process and ongoing customer support operate exclusively in Japanese. The application guide page at www.linemo.jp/language/process/order/ explicitly reminds users that "application page supports only Japanese."

If you're reasonably comfortable with Japanese or willing to navigate the application using screenshots paired with Google Translate's camera function—photographing each screen and translating it step-by-step—LINEMO is certainly doable. Many foreign residents successfully complete the signup this way, though it requires patience and careful attention to detail. But compared to Rakuten Mobile's comprehensive English support, LINEMO requires significantly more effort and creates ongoing friction whenever you need customer service or account changes.

povo: Split Approach for Different Audiences

povo (au/KDDI) operates with an interesting split personality that serves two distinct audiences with separate products. The regular povo 2.0 service that most Japanese customers use is the a-la-carte topping system with a Japanese-first app experience and Japanese-only documentation. For foreign residents or tourists who want comprehensive voice, SMS, and data service, this version requires navigating Japanese throughout.

However, KDDI also launched an English "Japan SIM" track at povo.jp/japan-sim/ that provides fully English support from signup through activation. The significant caveat is that this English-supported option is data-only (no voice calling or SMS) and eSIM-only, limiting its usefulness for foreign residents who need a Japanese phone number for work, banking, apartment rentals, or other essential services that require voice call verification. The Japan SIM works excellently for tourists or business travelers who only need data connectivity for maps, translation apps, and internet access while maintaining their home country number for calls. But for anyone establishing residency in Japan, the data-only limitation makes it impractical as a primary service.

The MNP Advantage: Rakuten's One-Stop Process

Beyond initial signup, there's another practical consideration for foreign residents switching from existing carriers: Mobile Number Portability (MNP) complexity. Traditionally, transferring your existing Japanese phone number to a new carrier required a multi-step process—requesting an MNP reservation number from your current carrier, waiting for that number to be issued (sometimes taking days), then entering it during new carrier signup within the limited validity period (usually 10-15 days).

Rakuten Mobile supports MNP One-Stop, a simplified government-mandated system that streamlines number transfers between participating carriers without requiring reservation codes. If you're switching from ahamo, povo, LINEMO, or the big three traditional carriers (Docomo, au, SoftBank), you can usually transfer your number without hunting down a reservation code through Japanese customer service systems or waiting for code issuance. The official English MNP page at network.mobile.rakuten.co.jp/en/guide/mnp/ explains the process clearly, and the One-Stop eligible carrier list explicitly includes ahamo, povo, and LINEMO among participating services.

This simplification removes yet another language-barrier friction point, as the traditional MNP reservation process often required calling Japanese-language customer service lines or navigating Japanese-only carrier websites to request codes—a process that created unnecessary stress for non-Japanese speakers.

Language Support Comparison

Carrier	Application	Support	Documentation	eKYC
Rakuten Mobile	✅ English	✅ English	✅ Complete	✅ English
ahamo	❌ Japanese only	⚠️ Limited	⚠️ Basic explainer	❌ Japanese
LINEMO	❌ Japanese only	❌ Japanese only	⚠️ Basic explainer	❌ Japanese
povo 2.0	❌ Japanese only	❌ Japanese only	❌ Japanese only	❌ Japanese
povo Japan SIM	✅ English	✅ English	✅ English	✅ English

Note: povo Japan SIM is data-only (no voice/SMS), limiting practical use as primary service for residents

Which Should You Choose?

The right carrier depends on your specific situation, language comfort level, and whether you need voice calling capabilities.

For Most Foreign Residents: Rakuten Mobile

If you're a foreign resident establishing life in Japan who wants the least Japanese-language friction and needs a normal phone number for work, banking, apartment rentals, and daily life, Rakuten Mobile is objectively the easiest on-ramp available in Japan's mobile market today. The comprehensive English support isn't just marketing fluff—it's genuine end-to-end support from signup through daily usage. The other carriers can absolutely work if you have Japanese language skills or reliable assistance, but you'll either be dealing with Japanese-only applications (ahamo, LINEMO, povo 2.0) or giving up voice/SMS capabilities (povo Japan SIM). For most foreign residents reading this, simplicity and reduced stress win.

The carrier's variable pricing (¥1,078 for 0-3GB, ¥2,178 for 3-20GB, ¥3,278 for unlimited) also ensures you never overpay during light-usage months while capping your maximum cost even with heavy usage—valuable flexibility for newcomers still figuring out their typical data consumption patterns.

If You Need Data Only: povo Japan SIM

For tourists, short-term visitors, or business travelers who only need data connectivity for maps, translation apps, and internet access while maintaining their home country number for calls and SMS, povo's Japan SIM offers a fully English experience with eSIM-only setup that activates within minutes of arrival. The data-only limitation that makes it unsuitable for residents becomes irrelevant for travelers who don't need a Japanese phone number. This is genuinely the best data-only option for short-term visitors who prioritize English support.

If You're Comfortable with Japanese: ahamo or LINEMO

Both carriers offer competitive pricing, excellent network coverage (ahamo on Docomo's industry-leading network, LINEMO on SoftBank's strong urban infrastructure), and compelling unique features—ahamo's free 30GB international roaming across 91 countries for frequent travelers, LINEMO's LINE GigaFree for unlimited LINE usage without consuming data. Just be prepared for a Japanese-language application process, Japanese-only customer service, and ongoing account management in Japanese.

If you speak Japanese fluently or have a Japanese-speaking partner, spouse, or close friend who can assist with setup and occasional troubleshooting, these carriers' technical advantages may outweigh Rakuten's English support advantage. But for solo foreign residents without reliable Japanese assistance, the language barrier creates ongoing friction that compounds over time whenever you need support.

Getting Started with Rakuten Mobile

Ready to make the switch? The fastest path for most foreign residents is Rakuten Mobile's eSIM option, which eliminates shipping delays and activates within minutes:

Step-by-step process:

Check device compatibility using their official checker—most modern smartphones (iPhone XR and newer, recent Android flagships) support eSIM
Prepare your documents—Residence Card (在留カード) or Special Permanent Resident Certificate for identity verification
Apply online using the English application guide—the entire process is documented step-by-step with screenshots
Complete eKYC verification—upload photos of your residence card and complete face verification for fastest approval (typically within a few hours to 1 day)
Activate your eSIM—download the eSIM profile and activate in about 3 minutes once verification completes

For users who prefer physical SIM cards or whose devices don't support eSIM, the process is identical except the SIM arrives via mail in 2-3 days after application approval.