Independent guide for foreigners in Japan

Get connected in Japan and understand your referral benefit

Switching from another carrier in Japan? Eligible applications can receive 14,000 points.
Need a new mobile line? Eligible applications can receive 11,000 points.

I want to switch I need a new line Check official application page

You will first need to log in to your Rakuten ID.
After logging in or creating a Rakuten account, you will be taken to the Rakuten Mobile referral campaign page.

Independent guide page for foreigners living in Japan

Rakuten Mobile is part of Rakuten Group, a major Japanese company group with a wide range of services.

Overview

Which situation sounds like you?

This guide is designed to help foreigners in Japan understand the employee referral campaign more easily. You can read the conversation that fits your situation, check the important points, and then confirm the latest details on the official application page.

Switching from another carrier
14,000 points
For eligible applications
Applying for a new line
11,000 points
For eligible applications
How it works

Real situations, explained simply

Three short conversations. Find the one that sounds like you.

For people already using another carrier in Japan

A foreign resident in Japan feels their monthly phone bill is too high

Alex
My phone bill in Japan feels too expensive every month.
Mina
Are you already using another mobile carrier in Japan?
Alex
Yes, I am. That is why I am thinking about switching.
Mina
Then this may be worth checking. If you switch from another carrier through the employee referral campaign, eligible applications can receive 14,000 points.
Alex
14,000 points? That is a lot better than I expected.
Mina
Yes. And if you look at the official listed example for unlimited data, it is 3,168 yen per month including tax. So 14,000 points is about 4.4 months worth of unlimited data.
Alex
Wait, that is almost four and a half months of unlimited data? That sounds really attractive.
Mina
Yes, and if you use Rakuten Link, domestic calls are free, although some numbers are excluded.
Alex
So I could lower my monthly cost, get 14,000 points, and still make calls. That sounds much better than my current plan.
Mina
Yes. If you are reviewing your current mobile cost in Japan, this may be worth checking. Just make sure to confirm the latest official campaign details before applying.
Alex
Got it. Then I want to check the official application page.
Check official application page

You will first need to log in to your Rakuten ID.
After logging in or creating a Rakuten account, you will be taken to the Rakuten Mobile referral campaign page.

For students and new residents who need a new mobile line

A student who just arrived in Japan is not sure which mobile carrier to choose

Lina
I just arrived in Japan for school, and I do not know which mobile carrier I should choose.
Maya
Do you need a completely new mobile line in Japan?
Lina
Yes. I do not have a Japanese phone plan yet.
Maya
Then this may be worth checking. If you apply for a new line through the employee referral campaign, eligible applications can receive 11,000 points.
Lina
I have never heard of Rakuten before. Is it a reliable company in Japan?
Maya
Rakuten Mobile is part of Rakuten Group, which is a major Japanese company group with a wide range of services. That is one reason many people in Japan already know the Rakuten name.
Lina
11,000 points sounds really good. But I am also worried about the monthly cost.
Maya
Rakuten Mobile has a step-based pricing plan, so the monthly fee changes depending on how much data you use. If you use unlimited data, the official listed example is 3,168 yen per month including tax.
Lina
Wait, unlimited data for around 3,000 yen a month? That sounds really affordable.
Maya
Yes. And if you think about it that way, 11,000 points is about 3.5 months worth of unlimited data based on the official listed example.
Lina
About three and a half months? That is actually a really nice bonus for a student.
Maya
Yes, especially when you are just starting life in Japan and trying to keep monthly costs low.
Lina
What about calls? I may need to call my school, apartment, and part-time job.
Maya
If you use Rakuten Link, domestic calls are free, although some numbers are excluded.
Lina
Unlimited data and free domestic calls sounds really convenient. That is much better than I expected.
Maya
Yes. It may be a practical option for students and new residents in Japan. Just make sure to confirm the latest official campaign details and plan conditions before applying.
Lina
Got it. Then I want to check the official application page.
Check official application page

You will first need to log in to your Rakuten ID.
After logging in or creating a Rakuten account, you will be taken to the Rakuten Mobile referral campaign page.

Before applying, check these important points

A user wants to confirm the main campaign conditions before applying

Noah
This sounds good, but what should I check before I apply?
Emma
First, check whether you are switching from another carrier in Japan or applying for a completely new line.
Noah
Why does that matter?
Emma
Because the referral benefit is different. Eligible switching applications can receive 14,000 points, and eligible new applications can receive 11,000 points.
Noah
Okay, so I need to know which type I am. What else?
Emma
If you apply on or after March 2, 2026 at 9:00, Rakuten Link use is required under the campaign conditions.
Noah
Anything else I should remember?
Emma
Yes. The campaign end date is currently listed as undecided, the benefit is limited to up to 5 times per person, and the campaign details may change.
Noah
So the safest thing is to confirm everything on the official page before I apply?
Emma
Exactly. This guide is here to make the campaign easier to understand, but you should always check the latest official conditions before completing your application.
Noah
What happens when I open the official application page?
Emma
You will first need to log in to your Rakuten ID. After logging in or creating a Rakuten account, you will be taken to the Rakuten Mobile referral campaign page.
Noah
Got it. Then I want to check the official application page now.
Check official application page

You will first need to log in to your Rakuten ID.
After logging in or creating a Rakuten account, you will be taken to the Rakuten Mobile referral campaign page.

Why Rakuten Mobile

More than just a bonus — a plan built for life in Japan

The referral bonus is one reason to apply. But for most foreign residents, it is the everyday plan itself that makes Rakuten Mobile worth switching to.

Step-based pricing

Pay only for what you use

Your monthly fee scales with the data you actually use. Light month? You pay less automatically — no need to change plans.

Unlimited data

Heavy user? Still capped

The official listed example for unlimited data is 3,168 yen per month including tax. Stream, map, and video-call without counting every gigabyte.

Rakuten Link

Free domestic calls

Use the Rakuten Link app to call Japanese numbers at no extra cost — useful for school, your landlord, or a part-time job. Some numbers are excluded.

Traveling abroad

Works overseas too

Data roaming is included in supported countries — handy for visiting family or short trips without buying a separate SIM.

0 – 3 GB
¥1,078
per month, tax included
3 – 20 GB
¥2,178
per month, tax included
20 GB – Unlimited
¥3,168
per month, tax included

Based on the official listed example. Always confirm the latest plan details on the official page.

Not sure?

Not sure which one fits you?

If you already use another carrier in Japan, the switching path may fit you better. If you do not have a Japanese mobile line yet, the new line path may fit you better. Before applying, please confirm the latest campaign conditions on the official page.

Switching path 14,000 pts

Already using another mobile carrier in Japan and want to lower your monthly bill.

New line path 11,000 pts

New to Japan or do not have a Japanese mobile line yet and need to set one up.

Read first

Important notes before applying

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Ready to check the official details?

See the latest campaign conditions and complete your application on the official employee referral application page.

Go to official application page

You will first need to log in to your Rakuten ID.
After logging in or creating a Rakuten account, you will be taken to the Rakuten Mobile referral campaign page.

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