Private and public telephones
Private telephones are those connected to homes and companies. As in other countries public telephones are to be found near railway stations, in front of shops, etc. and require \10 or \100 coins. Telephone cards can also be used.


Getting a new telephone line connected to your residence
To get a new telephone line connected to your residence, you must apply to NTT.
When making an application, proof of your name and address is necessary (passport, certificate of alien registration or driver’s license, etc.) A fee is charged for making the connection.
When an application is made, the date of the connection will be decided. The applicant (someone) must be at home on that day.
For details, telephone 116.


Information guide numbers
l    When moving or for other general enquiries about telephone services, call 116
l    If the line is faulty, call 113
l    If the number you call is always busy, call 114
l    To send a telegram, apply by calling 115
l    To make a collect / credit call, apply by calling 106


Telephone companies other than NTT, mobile phones and PHS
If you wish to apply to a company other than NTT, enquiries should be made to that company.
At present, mobile phones and PHS can be used in most areas. Since there are a number of mobile and PHS telephone companies, enquiries should be made directly to the company of your choice.


How to pay a telephone bill
Pay the bill from the telephone company as instructed before the due-date at the nearest NTT branch office, sales office, bank, post office or convenience store.
Paying the bill by bank or post office transfer is also a convenient method. To apply to pay by bank or post office transfer, bring a telephone bill, your bankbook, the seal used at the bank or post office to your bank, post office or telephone company and make the application.


How to make an international telephone call
International telephone calls can be made directly from private and public telephones.
Depending on the telephone company you use, charges, countries/districts you can call may vary.
Depending on the telephone, a simple procedure may be required before making the call. For details, enquire at the telephone company you are using.
To make an international telephone call from a public telephone, use the green or grey telephones that have a gold colored panel on the front and have [International & Domestic] displayed on them. Coins and telephone cards can be used to make international telephone calls.


Note 1    For details, ask a person who understands Japanese to enquire for you at NTT or the relevant telephone company in your city, ward, town or village.
Note 2    The information given is that confirmed as of July 2002. Note that a new system or system revisions may have been introduced since then.

This information is from the CLAIR website. The Council of Local Authorities for International Relations (CLAIR) was established in July 1988 in response to rising concerns about local level internationalization in Japan.