Only with a local address or companyVoice calls only
🇯🇵Can a Foreigner Get a Phone Number in Japan?
Only with a local footing. Japan (+81) numbers can be ordered through DialAnyone, but the carrier requires proof of address, an address in Japan and certificate of contractor or certificate of person in charge — so in practice you need an address in Japan or a registered Japan company. DialAnyone verifies your identity once as well. The number handles voice calls only — it cannot receive SMS or verification codes, as SMS is not available on Japan numbers through DialAnyone.
What you need to hold a Japan national number
| Requirement | Japan |
|---|---|
| Residency in Japan | Not required |
| Citizenship | Not required |
| A local SIM card | Not required |
| Identity verification with DialAnyone | Required once per account. Online, with a government photo ID and a selfie, a few minutes. |
| Government-issued ID copy | Not required |
| Proof of address (utility bill or invoice) | Required by the carrier |
| Address | An address in Japan |
| Business documents | Not required |
| Certificate of Contractor or Certificate of Person in Charge | Required by the carrier |
| Receives SMS / verification codes | No — voice calls only |
Activates after the carrier approves your documents, usually within a few business days. Availability last verified 2026-09-09.
What to do next
If you have an address in Japan or a registered Japan company, create an account and have the documents ready. If not, use a US or UK number for verification codes and call Japan directly at per-minute rates.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a foreigner get a phone number in Japan?â–¼
Only with a local footing. The carrier requires proof of address, an address in Japan and certificate of contractor or certificate of person in charge, so you need an address in Japan or a registered Japan company. Citizenship is not required.
What documents do I need?â–¼
A one-time identity verification with DialAnyone (government photo ID and a selfie, online), and for a Japan national number the carrier also asks for: proof of address (utility bill or invoice), an address in japan, certificate of contractor or certificate of person in charge. Activates after the carrier approves your documents, usually within a few business days.
Do I need a local address or proof of residency?â–¼
An address in Japan is required by the carrier, with a recent utility bill or invoice as proof. Residency status itself is not checked.
Can the number receive SMS and verification codes?â–¼
No. Japan numbers are voice-only and cannot receive SMS or verification codes — SMS is not available on Japan numbers through DialAnyone. For codes, use a US or UK number, which works from anywhere.
How much does a Japan number cost?â–¼
A small monthly rental for the number, plus per-minute calling and per-message texting billed from a prepaid credit balance. There is no contract and no monthly minimum. Signing up is free and needs no credit card.
Do I need to visit Japan to get the number?â–¼
No. The whole process is online and the number is delivered to your account. You never handle a SIM card and you do not need to travel.
Can I keep my existing phone number as well?â–¼
Yes. A virtual number is additional — it rings in your browser or the DialAnyone app alongside whatever SIM is in your phone. Nothing about your existing line changes.
What happens to the number if I stop paying?â–¼
It returns to the carrier pool and can be reissued to someone else. Anything still pointing at it, including two-factor codes, goes with it — so move those before you let a number lapse.
Further reading
Phone NumbersHow to Get a Virtual Phone Number in Any Country (2026 Guide)What a virtual number is, which countries you can actually get one in, the ID checks to expect, and what it costs — with the paperwork rules that trip people up.13 min readMessagingReceive SMS Online: Why Free Temporary Numbers Fail VerificationFree receive-SMS sites are public inboxes on recycled numbers, and WhatsApp, Telegram and banks block them. What actually works when you need a code to arrive.11 min readPhone NumbersA Second Phone Number for Business, Without a Second PhoneKeep work and personal calls apart on one device. How dual numbers actually work, what they cost, and how to pick between an app number, an eSIM and a desk line.10 min read