Foreign residents living in Japan can apply for Rakuten Mobile online or at a shop. The correct route depends on four things: your identity document and the address stored on its IC chip, whether you will keep a Japanese number with MNP, whether your exact phone model supports Rakuten Mobile and eSIM, and whether your payment method works for the order. Standard Residence Cards may support online Simple Mobile ID Verification, while specified and second-generation cards introduced in June 2026 require a shop. Do not cancel your old line before MNP completes, and do not submit until your full legal name and address match. This guide takes you from preparation to activation and shows where applications or campaign benefits can fail.
Last checked: July 21, 2026
For: Adult foreign residents applying for an individual Rakuten Mobile voice plan in Japan
Not for: Tourists, short-term travel SIM users, corporate contracts, applicants under 18, or data-only applications
Editorial method: Official Rakuten Mobile application, identity-verification, MNP, device, payment, campaign, shop-support and activation pages were checked. An accepted document or application route does not guarantee approval.
Quick route decision
- Apply online when you have an eligible standard Residence Card or Special Permanent Resident Certificate, the current address is stored on its IC chip, your phone can complete the scan, and you are comfortable checking some Japanese notices.
- Apply at a shop when your card type requires it, the IC-chip address is not current, the form cannot accept your full legal name, your phone cannot scan the card, or you need in-person support.
- Pause before applying when the current carrier’s contract holder does not match, your phone compatibility is uncertain, your payment method is unconfirmed, or the campaign entry or expected offer cannot be confirmed.
For current plan information and the standard application route, use the Rakuten Mobile English website.
Before you start: eligibility and five items to prepare
Prepare these five items before opening the application form:
- An accepted and unexpired identity document
- A compatible and SIM-unlocked smartphone, or a device you plan to buy
- A decision between a new number and MNP
- A decision between a physical SIM and eSIM
- An accepted payment method
You should also have access to your email, your Rakuten account details when applicable, and stable Wi-Fi for identity verification and activation.
Check your identity-verification route first
| Your situation | Can you normally use online Simple Mobile ID Verification? | Recommended route |
|---|---|---|
| Standard Residence Card or Special Permanent Resident Certificate, current address stored on the IC chip, and an NFC-compatible phone | Usually | Apply online |
| Standard card, but the phone cannot read the IC chip | No through the IC-scan method | Consider postal verification if offered, or apply at a shop |
| Current address is not correctly stored on the card’s IC chip | No | Apply at a Rakuten Mobile shop |
| Specified Residence Card or Specified Special Permanent Resident Certificate | No | Apply at a Rakuten Mobile shop |
| Second-generation Residence Card or Second-generation Special Permanent Resident Certificate issued on or after June 14, 2026 | No | Apply at a Rakuten Mobile shop |
| Passport or visitor documentation only | Not covered by this resident application route | Use a product intended for visitors |
Rakuten Mobile’s current Japanese notices state that foreign residents whose current address is not stored correctly on the card’s IC chip cannot use Simple Mobile ID Verification. They also direct holders of the specified or second-generation cards listed above to a shop.
Check the Japanese notice when the English page looks different. Some English identity-verification pages can retain older upload wording after a procedure changes. Rakuten Mobile states that the Japanese version is definitive. For applications made after the March–June 2026 changes, follow the live application screen and the latest Japanese notice rather than an older screenshot or translated instruction.
60-second pre-application checklist
Choose the correct plan on the first screen
The current Rakuten Mobile application screen asks you to choose a plan before the number, SIM and identity-verification steps. Do not continue until the selected radio button matches the service you actually want.
Application screen checked on July 21, 2026
The supplied smartphone screenshot shows two separate choices:
| Plan shown | Price shown on the screen | What to check before continuing |
|---|---|---|
| Rakuten SAIKYO Plan | ¥980–¥2,980 per month before tax; ¥1,078–¥3,278 including tax | Choose this when you want the standard usage-based mobile plan without the U-NEXT bundle. |
| Rakuten SAIKYO U-NEXT | ¥3,980 per month before tax; ¥4,378 including tax | Choose this only when you intentionally want the fixed-price U-NEXT bundle and understand its separate entry, benefit and cancellation conditions. |
Do not mistake a points banner for automatic eligibility. The screenshot shows an “up to ¥5,000 worth of Rakuten Points” message for first-time U-NEXT customers and states that entry is required. Treat it as a separate offer. Confirm its live conditions and compatibility with any mobile campaign before choosing the U-NEXT plan.
In the supplied screenshot, the blue radio button is beside Rakuten SAIKYO Plan. Your live screen may differ, so check the selected circle, monthly amount, paid options and any campaign entry or offer details immediately before you continue.
Choose a new number or keep your number with MNP
MNP means Mobile Number Portability, the process used to keep an existing Japanese phone number when switching carriers.
| Choice | Choose this when | What to prepare |
|---|---|---|
| New phone number | You do not need to keep an existing Japanese number | No MNP procedure |
| MNP One-Stop | You are applying online and your current carrier supports One-Stop | Authentication with the current carrier during the process |
| MNP reservation number | You are applying at a shop or your current carrier does not support One-Stop | A valid reservation number from the current carrier |
MNP One-Stop is available online only and is not offered in Rakuten Mobile shops. The list of supported carriers can change, so check the official MNP One-Stop page immediately before applying.
Before starting MNP, confirm that the current carrier’s contract holder is the same person who will apply for Rakuten Mobile. A number registered to a family member, employer or former account holder can stop the transfer. If the names differ, fix the current contract first rather than repeatedly submitting a Rakuten Mobile application.
MNP timing warning
Do not cancel the old line yourself before the number transfer is complete. Keep the old SIM, account login and access to SMS until Rakuten Mobile is active and the number works correctly.
Choose online or a Rakuten Mobile shop
Online application
Advantages
- Apply without travelling to a shop
- Use MNP One-Stop when the current carrier supports it
- Avoid physical SIM delivery when an eligible eSIM application is approved
- Check the status through my Rakuten Mobile
Disadvantages
- The identity document, IC-chip address and phone must support the selected verification method
- Some legal notices, messages or support functions may still appear in Japanese
- Name and address exceptions are harder to resolve without staff
- The specified and second-generation Residence Cards described above cannot use Simple Mobile ID Verification
Shop application
Advantages
- Staff can inspect original documents in person
- It is the required route for certain new Residence Card types
- It is safer when the IC-chip address is not current
- Staff can help check the device, SIM choice and application fields
Disadvantages
- A reservation and travel may be required
- MNP One-Stop is not available in shops
- Spoken multilingual support varies by location
- Waiting times, stock and supported procedures vary by shop
Rakuten Mobile provides English-language materials at shops, but an English-speaking staff member is not guaranteed at every time or location. Confirm the shop’s support options when booking.
Choose a shop when the document route requires it, the application cannot represent your full legal name correctly, the payment holder differs from the applicant, or you need in-person support.
Check your phone and choose SIM or eSIM
Before using a current phone, confirm:
- The exact model is listed as compatible by Rakuten Mobile.
- The phone is SIM-unlocked when required.
- The country or region where the phone was purchased does not change its supported functions.
- The phone supports eSIM if you plan to select eSIM.
- The phone supports NFC and IC-chip reading if you plan to use Simple Mobile ID Verification.
A device with the same commercial name can have different radio bands or functions depending on the country of purchase. A compatibility result is more reliable when the exact model number matches.
Physical SIM or eSIM
| Point | Physical SIM | eSIM |
|---|---|---|
| Delivery | Must be delivered or collected | No physical SIM delivery |
| Compatible devices | Works with a wider range of devices | Requires an eSIM-compatible device |
| Moving to another phone | Usually move the card | May require reissue or transfer steps |
| Loss or damage | The card can be lost or damaged | No physical card |
| Activation speed | Depends on delivery and activation | May be faster, but screening still applies |
| Safer choice when uncertain | Yes | No—confirm exact compatibility first |
Do not choose eSIM only because it is described as fast. Identity screening, application status, the phone model and the setup flow can still delay activation.
Create or confirm your Rakuten account
Rakuten Mobile’s preparation guide instructs MNP applicants to prepare a Rakuten member ID and password. Some new-number applications may be available without a Rakuten ID, but creating or confirming the account before applying normally reduces avoidable problems.
Before continuing:
- Confirm that you can log in
- Confirm that the registered email address is accessible
- Update an old address
- Use the applicant’s full legal name rather than a nickname
- Confirm that the account belongs to the mobile contract holder
- Save the password securely
For the linked special campaign route, log in with the same Rakuten ID that will be attached to the mobile contract and receive any eligible points. Do not create or switch between multiple Rakuten IDs during the application.
Enter your name, address and contact details correctly
Application information must match the identity document.
For a Residence Card or Special Permanent Resident Certificate:
- Copy the full legal name
- Use romaji when the card shows the name in both kanji and romaji
- Include every name component shown on the document
- Enter the complete current Japanese address
- Include the building name and room number when applicable
- Use the same date of birth as the document
- Do not translate, shorten or rearrange the name without official guidance
| Information | Usually required | Main risk |
|---|---|---|
| Full legal name | Yes | Missing middle names, different order or shortened spelling |
| Date of birth | Yes | Typographical mismatch |
| Current Japanese address | Yes | Missing building or room number, or old address |
| Email and contact details | Yes | Cannot receive screening or delivery notices |
| Identity-verification method | Yes for a voice plan | Choosing a method that the card or phone cannot use |
| Payment method | Yes | Method cannot cover the device portion of the order |
| MNP information | Only when keeping a number | Contract-holder mismatch or expired reservation number |
| Campaign entry or login status | Only when using a special campaign | Using a different Rakuten ID or relying on a benefit that is not shown in the live rules |
The live application screen is the final authority. If the form cannot accept the complete legal name or address, do not invent an abbreviation. Ask official support or use a shop.
Name example: If the Residence Card shows “ALEXANDER JAMES LEE,” entering “ALEX LEE” or omitting “JAMES” can create a mismatch. Use every name component and the same romaji spelling shown on the card. The detailed exceptions for middle names, long names and address changes belong in the separate required-documents guide.
Choose the identity-verification method
Method 1: Simple Mobile ID Verification
This is the main online method for eligible foreign residents. It requires:
- An eligible standard Residence Card or Special Permanent Resident Certificate
- An unexpired document with a face photo and current address
- Correct address data on the IC chip
- An NFC-compatible smartphone
- Information that matches the application
- Completion of the on-screen face and IC-chip checks
Method 2: Verification by mailing a Residence Certificate
When this option is offered, Rakuten Mobile accepts an original certificate issued by the municipality, such as a jūminhyō no utsushi (住民票の写し) or Certificate of Matters Stated in the Residence Certificate. Although the Japanese document name is often translated as “copy,” it means the officially issued document—not a photocopy. The document must:
- Was issued within six months of the identity-verification screening date
- Does not include My Number or the Residence Certificate Code
- Is not a photocopy
This route takes longer and should not be treated as an instant online application.
Method 3: Verification at a shop
Use a shop when:
- The card is a Specified Residence Card or Specified Special Permanent Resident Certificate
- It is a second-generation card issued on or after June 14, 2026
- The current address is not stored on the IC chip
- The phone cannot complete the required scan
- The name, contract holder or supporting documents need staff review
Do not rely on the home-delivery identity check
Rakuten Mobile’s official identity-verification page identifies delivery and identity verification at home as a method for Japanese nationals. Foreign residents should not assume it is available merely because a general application screen displays a delivery-related option.
Register the payment method
Rakuten Mobile lists credit cards, supported debit cards, bank-account direct debit and certain device-payment methods. Rakuten Points or Rakuten Pay balance may also be available under applicable conditions.
| Payment method | Monthly service fee | Device purchase | Main caution |
|---|---|---|---|
| Credit card | Yes | Yes | Acceptance and installment eligibility can vary |
| Supported debit card | Yes | Yes | Registration does not guarantee every later charge will be approved |
| Bank-account direct debit | Yes | No | A separate method is required for the device price |
| Cash on delivery | No | Eligible device orders only | Not available for every order or verification route |
| Rakuten Points or Rakuten Pay balance | Conditional | Conditional | Requires an eligible underlying payment arrangement |
Rakuten Mobile does not guarantee that every foreign-issued card will work. Prepare another officially supported payment method when possible.
If the payment method is in another person’s name, the named cardholder or account holder may need to accompany the applicant. A shop is the safer route for this situation.
Review the order and submit the application
Before selecting the final submit button, confirm every item below.
Applicant and order
Stop and fix these problems before submitting
Do not press the final button when:
- the legal name is shortened, reordered or missing a middle name
- the current address differs from the identity document or IC-chip data
- the current carrier’s MNP contract holder is another person
- the exact phone model or eSIM support is still uncertain
- the payment method cannot cover a purchased device
- the selected paid options are not understood
- the special campaign page did not confirm your login or entry, or the live rules do not match the benefit you expected
Correcting one problem before submission is usually safer than waiting for screening to fail and creating a duplicate application.
Campaign confirmation
The linked affiliate route leads to Rakuten Mobile’s official Rakuten Hiroshi Mikitani special customer campaign. The campaign changes the entry and reward conditions; it does not relax the identity, MNP, device, payment or screening rules.
The reward amount, eligible application type, entry deadline, Rakuten Link requirement, incompatible campaigns and award timing can change. This referral-style route may be recorded through Rakuten ID login rather than a coupon shown on the order screen. Treat the successful campaign login/entry screen and the live campaign rules as the final authority; this article does not promise a fixed reward.
Complete every item below before using the primary application button:
Stop before submitting if the campaign login or entry was not confirmed, the Rakuten ID differs from the contract account, the live rules show a different plan or deadline, or another referral campaign would conflict with this offer. A visible coupon is not a universal requirement for this route.
Affiliate disclosure: The primary button below redirects through TrafficGate to Rakuten Mobile’s official English special-campaign page. We may receive a commission from an eligible application. Confirm the live reward, campaign name, entry status, plan, deadlines and exclusions before applying.
After submission, save:
- The application or order number
- The confirmation email
- A screenshot or PDF of the order summary
- The SIM type and identity-verification method
- The campaign name, successful entry/login evidence and conditions when applicable
Do not share screenshots containing a Residence Card number, full address, phone number, payment information or application number.
What happens during screening and delivery
my Rakuten Mobile may show stages such as screening, approval, preparation and delivery. An application record does not mean screening is complete.
Check both my Rakuten Mobile and the email account used for the application. Also check the spam folder because requests for additional information or payment errors may arrive by email.
Physical SIM
Wait for the SIM to arrive before starting the physical-SIM activation flow. Screening, stock, address verification, weather and delivery conditions can affect timing.
eSIM
eSIM removes physical delivery but does not remove identity screening, device checks or activation requirements.
If the status does not change
Do not immediately create a duplicate application. First:
- Check my Rakuten Mobile and email
- Confirm whether more identity information was requested
- Confirm whether payment registration failed
- Check whether an MNP action is still pending
- Contact official support or visit a shop if the status remains unclear
Activate the line and test calls, SMS and data
The exact procedure depends on the SIM type, new number or MNP, the device and whether a phone was purchased from Rakuten Mobile.
Prepare:
- The phone that will use Rakuten Mobile
- The old phone or active line when needed for MNP
- The delivered SIM card when applicable
- Access to my Rakuten Mobile
- Stable Wi-Fi
Post-activation test
Do not call an emergency number merely to test the service.
Check whether your campaign requires a Rakuten Link call
Some Rakuten Mobile campaigns require an eligible Rakuten Link call of at least 10 seconds. If that condition appears in the live rules for the campaign attached to your order, complete it after activation and before the exact displayed deadline. Do not calculate the deadline from memory or from an old article: save the campaign screen because the controlling date can depend on the campaign login and application timing.
Use the applied Rakuten Mobile line and an ordinary eligible phone number, then verify the recorded call time in my Rakuten Mobile. Rakuten Mobile notes that Rakuten Link-to-Rakuten Link calls may not appear in the same usage view, and some numbers or services can be excluded.
What to do if the application stops or is canceled
| Problem | Likely checkpoint | First action |
|---|---|---|
| Identity verification cannot start | Unsupported card, phone or IC-chip data | Recheck the 2026 document route and use a shop when required |
| Name or address mismatch | Account, application and identity document differ | Correct the inconsistent information before reapplying |
| IC-chip scan fails | NFC setting, phone position, phone compatibility or card type | Follow the official scan instructions, then consider postal verification or a shop |
| MNP cannot continue | Contract-holder mismatch, unsupported One-Stop route, login failure or reservation-number issue | Confirm the current carrier’s holder and use the official alternative MNP method |
| Payment registration fails | Unsupported card, issuer decision or order limitation | Contact the issuer or select another officially supported method |
| Campaign entry or expected offer cannot be confirmed | Session, page, browser, device or Rakuten ID changed | Stop before submitting, reopen the campaign route and confirm the live coupon |
| Application is canceled | Identity, payment, MNP or screening issue | Read the notice and correct only the identified problem; approval is not guaranteed |
| Physical SIM has not arrived | Screening, preparation or delivery is incomplete | Check status and tracking before applying again |
| eSIM will not activate | Device, order status or setup procedure | Avoid repeated profile deletion and use the official eSIM instructions |
Frequently asked questions
Can every foreign resident apply online?
No. A standard Residence Card or Special Permanent Resident Certificate may support online verification when the IC-chip address is current and the phone is compatible. Certain specified and second-generation cards require a shop. Approval is still subject to screening.
Why does an English ID page sometimes show an older upload method?
Rakuten Mobile changed online identity verification in March 2026 and added new card rules in June 2026. Translated pages can lag behind the Japanese notice. Rakuten Mobile states that the Japanese text is definitive, so use the live application screen and current Japanese notice when the instructions conflict.
Is there a minimum remaining period of residence?
Rakuten Mobile’s public application pages do not publish a universal rule guaranteeing approval when a particular number of months remains. The document must be valid, but screening is separate.
Is a Rakuten ID required?
Rakuten Mobile instructs MNP applicants to prepare a Rakuten ID. Some new-number applications may be possible without one. A Rakuten account is strongly recommended when using the current campaign because campaign login, membership and any applicable Rakuten Link conditions must be satisfied.
Can I complete everything in English?
Rakuten Mobile provides English pages and selected multilingual shop support. However, the Japanese text is definitive, and not every screen, message, legal term or support function is guaranteed to be translated. Phone support is Japanese only.
Do I always need an MNP reservation number?
No. It is not normally required for an online application when the current carrier supports MNP One-Stop. It is generally required for a shop application or a carrier that does not support One-Stop.
Is eSIM always faster?
No. It removes physical delivery, but screening, document checks, device compatibility and activation can still cause delays.
How do I know whether the special campaign entry was recorded?
Use the campaign link, log in with the Rakuten ID that will be attached to the contract, and save the official confirmation or rules screen. Do not rely only on a coupon in the order screen because referral-style campaigns may be recorded through login. Follow the live campaign page if it provides a specific method for checking entry.
Can I apply with only a passport?
A passport alone is not the normal identity-document route for a foreign resident applying for an individual voice plan. Most applicants use a Residence Card or Special Permanent Resident Certificate, while certain special-status documents require a shop. Check the current official foreign-national document list rather than assuming a passport is sufficient.
Do I need a Japanese credit card?
Not necessarily. Rakuten Mobile lists credit cards, supported debit cards and bank-account direct debit for applicable charges. However, the method available for the monthly plan may differ from the method needed for a device purchase, and a foreign-issued card is not guaranteed to be accepted.
Can I use a smartphone purchased outside Japan?
Possibly, but the exact model number matters. Check Rakuten Mobile compatibility, SIM-lock status and eSIM support. Radio bands, VoLTE and Japanese technical-conformity requirements need a separate device-compatibility check.
Will a shop always have an English-speaking employee?
No. English-language materials are available, but spoken support varies by shop, date and staff availability. Confirm the support option when booking and bring the original required documents.
Important notes
- The Japanese version of Rakuten Mobile’s official terms, identity-verification notices and campaign rules takes precedence when translations differ.
- An English support page may retain older identity-document upload wording after a procedure change; verify the current Japanese notice and live application screen.
- Accepted documents and application routes do not guarantee approval.
- Do not rely on an unofficial minimum residence-period rule.
- Do not assume every overseas phone or foreign-issued payment card will work.
- Do not assume every shop provides English support.
- Campaigns can change, end or become incompatible with another benefit without notice.
- This article does not provide legal or immigration advice.
- Recheck identity-verification, campaign, price and application-screen information immediately before applying.
Sources, methodology and update history
Last checked: July 21, 2026
Primary official sources:
- Rakuten Mobile English website
- Step-by-Step Application Guide
- Online Application Guide
- Identity Verification Documents
- MNP One-Stop Guide
- Payment Methods
- Rakuten Hiroshi Mikitani Exclusive Campaign
- How to Check Rakuten Mobile Campaign Conditions
- Checking Scheduled Campaign Points in Rakuten PointClub
- Rakuten Link Campaign Requirement FAQ
- 2026 Changes to Online Identity Verification Methods
- Simple Mobile ID Verification Notice for Non-Japanese Customers
- Information on New Residence Cards and Special Permanent Resident Certificates
- Rakuten Mobile Shops and English Materials
- Activation Guide
Update history
- July 21, 2026: Added a dated review of the current plan-selection screen, separated the standard plan from Rakuten SAIKYO U-NEXT, moved the strong affiliate CTA until after eligibility and payment checks, strengthened campaign-loss prevention, and completed the final PC/mobile implementation audit.
- July 21, 2026 (pre-publication final): Replaced coupon-dependent campaign guidance with Rakuten-ID login/entry verification, removed unsupported browser/device-failure claims, clarified the post-April 2026 identity-verification rules and translation lag, and aligned the primary CTA with the official Mikitani special-campaign landing page.
