Japan

Mobile networks and carriers in Japan use 5 UMTS bands, 11 LTE bands, and 7 5G NR bands. Find out if your unlocked phone or mobile device will work in Japan. See the tables below for details.

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Japan's mobile network is one of the most advanced in the world, with a significant number of mobile contracts. As of March 2022, there were 199.99 million mobile contracts in Japan, which is 158% of the total population. This high penetration rate reflects the country's extensive mobile phone usage and technological advancements.

The mobile phone industry in Japan has a rich history. The first mobile phones were introduced in the 1980s, and since then, the market has evolved significantly. The industry transitioned to 3G technology in the early 2000s, with NTT Docomo leading the way in deploying 3G networks. This was followed by the introduction of 4G technology, which further enhanced mobile connectivity and data speeds.

Currently, the Japanese mobile network is transitioning to 5G technology, with companies like Rakuten Mobile at the forefront of this development. The Fully Virtualized Cloud Native Mobile Network (FVCNMN) is a key technology being utilized, which was previously considered impossible to deploy on a large scale.

The market is dominated by four main mobile network operators (MNOs): NTT Docomo, KDDI Group, SoftBank, and Rakuten Mobile. These operators have a significant presence, with NTT Docomo holding the largest market share. Additionally, there are several mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs) that operate by renting a portion of the network from the MNOs and providing services on top of them.

The regulatory environment in Japan is complex, with the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications administering mobile telecommunications operating licenses. The industry has experienced consolidation due to regulatory changes and market conditions, such as the unbundling of service plans and handset prices in 2008, which led to a significant reduction in handset shipments.

Overall, Japan's mobile network has evolved from early mobile phones to advanced 5G technology, driven by innovative companies and regulatory support.

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Carriers

Name	# of frequency bands in use
KDDI au	13
NTT Docomo	12
Rakuten Mobile	4
Softbank	14

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Frequencies in use

UMTS

Name	Interface
B1 (2100 MHz)	UMTS
B8 (900 MHz GSM)	UMTS
B9 (1800 MHz Japan)	UMTS
B11 (1500 MHz Lower)	UMTS
B19 (800 MHz Japan)	UMTS

LTE

Name	Interface
B1 (2100 MHz)	LTE
B3 (1800 MHz +)	LTE
B8 (900 MHz)	LTE
B11 1500 MHz Lower	LTE
B18 (800 MHz Lower)	LTE
B19 (800 MHz Upper)	LTE
B21 (1500 MHz Upper)	LTE
B26 (850 MHz +)	LTE
B28 (700 MHz APT)	LTE
B41 (TD 2500 MHz)	LTE
B42 (TD 3500 MHz)	LTE

5G NR

Name	Interface
N3 (1800 MHz)	5G NR
N18 (800 MHz)	5G NR
N28 (700 MHz)	5G NR
N77 (3700 MHz)	5G NR
N78 (3500 MHz)	5G NR
N79 (4700 MHz)	5G NR
N257 (mmWave 28 GHz)	5G NR

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