2026 Update: Can Foreigners Sign Up for Rakuten Mobile? (Yes — Here’s How)
Why Rakuten Mobile is a Great Choice for International Residents in Japan (2026)
✨ Updated Jan 2026: Join the 10 Million Subscriber Milestone! ✨
Are you a foreigner living in Japan or planning to move soon? One of the first things you’ll need is a reliable mobile plan. The good news is—yes, foreigners can sign up for Rakuten Mobile, and the process is much easier than many people expect.
🚀 Rakuten Mobile Employee Referral Campaign
Sign up through this employee referral link to receive extra perks not available in the regular program:
- Up to 14,000 Rakuten Points (Switching/MNP)
- Up to 11,000 Rakuten Points (New or additional lines)
- Eligibility for up to 5 lines (Regular referral only allows 1)
- Resubscribe eligibility (Not eligible for regular referral program)
*Must start using Rakuten Mobile by 11:59 PM on the last day of the second month following the date you clicked and logged in the employee referral campaign
Table of Contents
Can foreigners sign up for Rakuten Mobile?
Yes—foreigners can sign up for Rakuten Mobile as long as they have the required identification. Rakuten Mobile is known for being a foreigner-friendly carrier in Japan, offering:
- Simple online application
- eSIM activation (start in minutes)
- English-friendly website and support
- Affordable pricing
What documents do foreigners need?
Foreign residents need the following:
- Residence Card (在留カード): Must be valid.
- Credit card or Bank Account: For monthly payment.
- Rakuten ID: Free to create during signup.
💡 Tip:
Ensure your name matches your ID exactly. If your Residence Card has a Middle Name, enter it in the "First Name" field after your first name (e.g., Taro Michael). If the names don't match your ID 100%, the system may reject the application.
How to apply (step-by-step)
You can apply online or in-store, but online is the fastest:
- Create or log into your Rakuten account.
- Select SIM type (eSIM or SIM card).
- Choose your plan (Rakuten SAIKYO Plan or SAIKYO U-NEXT).
- Upload your Residence Card photo.
- Set up payment
- After application is approved, proceed to activatation.
How much is Rakuten Mobile?
Rakuten uses a simple usage-based model. For full details including the Rakuten SAIKYO U-NEXT plan, see the detailed breakdown here.
| Monthly Data | Price (Tax Incl.) |
|---|---|
| Up to 3GB | ¥1,078 |
| Up to 20GB | ¥2,178 |
| Unlimited Data | ¥3,278 |
Why Rakuten Mobile is great for foreigners
- Easy online sign-up: Finish entire process at home
- Pay with Points: Use Rakuten Points to bring your bill to ¥0. Find out more in this post.
- English Support
- Free Roaming: 2GB of included when you travel abroad for over 100 countries
FAQ
Q: Can I use an unlocked phone?
Yes—check compatibility here.
Q: Can I use Rakuten Points to pay my bill?
Yes, you can pay your entire bill with points.
More about the Employee Referral Campaign
For full details on:
- How many points you can earn (MNP vs. New Number)
- Differences between employee referral vs. regular referral
- Detailed eligibility rules for 2nd lines and re-subscriptions
- Plan comparisons (SAIKYO Plan, SAIKYO U-NEXT, and Rakuten Turbo)
See the full guide here:
👉 All About Rakuten Mobile Employee Referral Campaign
Ready to sign-up for Rakuten Mobile?
*Must start using Rakuten Mobile by 11:59 PM on the last day of the second month following the date you clicked and logged in the employee referral campaign
*Information as of Jan 2026. Points awarded in installments starting 4 months after login. Conditions apply.
*10 million subscribed lines include the number of contracts for "Rakuten SAIKYO Plan," "Rakuten SAIKYO Plan Business," "Rakuten Turbo," MVNE, and MVNO, as of December 25, 2025 and BCP (Business Continuity Plan) lines.
Comments
Post a Comment