Is Now a Good Time to Switch to Rakuten Mobile via Employee Referral?
If you’re a foreign resident in Japan thinking about switching your mobile carrier, you’ve probably already come across Rakuten Mobile. With an unlimited data plan at just ¥3,278 per month (tax included), it’s one of the most straightforward and affordable options available. But here’s something many people overlook: the timing of your switch can significantly affect how many Rakuten Points you receive — and using an employee referral link can give you a meaningful bonus on top of standard campaigns.
This article breaks down exactly when it makes sense to switch, how the employee referral campaign compares to normal promotions, and what foreign residents in Japan should keep in mind before making the move.
What Is the Rakuten Mobile Employee Referral Campaign?
Rakuten Mobile allows its employees to share a personal referral link with friends, family, or anyone considering signing up. When you use one of these links to join, both the referrer and the new user benefit — but the focus here is on what you as the new user receive.
Here’s a quick comparison of the point rewards:
| Signup Type | Normal Campaign | Via Employee Referral |
|---|---|---|
| MNP (switch from another carrier) | 13,000 points | 14,000 points |
| New number signup | Not specified | 11,000 points |
As you can see, using an employee referral link gets you 1,000 extra points on top of the standard MNP campaign. For MNP switchers, that brings the total to 14,000 Rakuten Points — a significant reward just for signing up through the right link.
How Are the Points Paid Out?
Before you get too excited, it’s important to understand the point payout schedule:
- Points are not paid all at once
- They are distributed in 3 installments
- Payments begin 4 months after your referral login month
So if you sign up using a referral link in, say, June, you can expect to start receiving points around October. The three installments are spread out over a period of time after that. It’s still a great deal — just don’t plan on spending those points the week after you sign up.
This structure is worth knowing for budgeting purposes, especially if you’re planning to use those points toward Rakuten shopping, travel bookings, or other services in the Rakuten ecosystem.
When Is the Best Time to Switch?
1. When You’re Eligible for MNP (Switching from Another Carrier)
The highest reward — 14,000 points — is reserved for MNP users. If you’re currently on SoftBank, docomo, au, or any other Japanese carrier and you switch your number over to Rakuten Mobile, you qualify for this top-tier reward through the referral.
For foreign residents who joined Japan with a prepaid SIM or are still on a legacy contract from a major carrier, this is often the clearest trigger to act. If you want a more detailed walkthrough of the switching process, check out this guide: Switching from SoftBank to Rakuten Mobile: Pros, Cons & Complete Guide for Foreign Residents in Japan.
2. When Your Current Contract Is Up for Renewal
While Rakuten Mobile doesn’t lock you into long-term contracts, many other carriers in Japan do have “preferred update windows” where you can cancel without paying a fee. If you’re approaching that window, it’s a smart time to make the move — and using a referral link ensures you’re getting the maximum point reward when you do.
3. When You’re Newly Arriving in Japan
If you’re just getting set up in Japan and need a new number entirely, the referral campaign still offers 11,000 points for a new signup. That’s a solid head start if you’re beginning to build your Rakuten membership and want points toward your first few months of expenses.
4. When You’re Setting Up Multiple Lines
One often-overlooked aspect of the employee referral campaign is that up to 5 lines per person can be registered under this system. If you’re helping a partner, roommate, or family member also join Rakuten Mobile using the same referral link, each person can receive their own point reward. This is worth coordinating carefully.
For families thinking about switching together, take a look at this: Switch Your Whole Family to Rakuten Mobile – How Much Can You Really Save?
Is Rakuten Mobile Worth It Beyond the Points?
Point rewards are a great incentive, but you probably want to know whether Rakuten Mobile is actually a good carrier for your daily life in Japan. Here’s a quick summary of what you get with the ¥3,278/month plan:
- Unlimited data with no throttling cap under normal usage
- Free calls using the Rakuten Link app (domestic)
- 2GB of free overseas roaming data — a helpful perk if you travel
- Full integration with the Rakuten ecosystem (boosted SPU points on shopping, etc.)
The pricing is particularly competitive when compared to major carriers. As explored in detail in Rakuten Mobile vs Docomo au Softbank Price Comparison for Foreigners in Japan, the gap in monthly costs between Rakuten and the big three is substantial — often ¥2,000 to ¥4,000 per month.
Over a year, that’s real money back in your pocket, on top of the referral points.
Things to Keep in Mind as a Foreign Resident
Switching mobile carriers in Japan as a non-Japanese resident does come with a few extra steps to be aware of:
- Identification: You’ll need your residence card (在留カード) and a payment method (credit card recommended)
- Language: The Rakuten Mobile signup process is available in Japanese; having a translator app handy or going through a bilingual guide helps
- MNP reservation number: Before porting your number, you’ll need to request an MNP reservation number (MNP予約番号) from your current carrier — this is valid for a limited time, so don’t wait too long after obtaining it
How to Use the Employee Referral Link
Using the referral link is simple:
- Click the referral URL to access the Rakuten Mobile campaign page
- Confirm whether you’re applying for MNP or a new number
- Complete the sign-in or account creation with your Rakuten ID (or create one)
- Proceed with the contract steps as normal
The referral points are tracked automatically once you log in via the link, so there’s no coupon code to enter separately.
Final Thoughts
There’s no single “perfect” month to switch — but there are clearly better and worse times depending on your situation. If you’re eligible for MNP, signing up through an employee referral link gives you the best available reward: 14,000 Rakuten Points, which is 1,000 more than the standard campaign. New signups receive 11,000 points under the same referral.
The three-installment payout starting four months out means you’ll want to plan ahead, but the combination of a strong point reward and one of Japan’s most affordable unlimited data plans makes this a genuinely appealing option — not just a gimmick.
If you’re ready to explore the referral campaign, you can access it here: 👉 Rakuten Mobile Employee Referral Link
Take your time, check your current contract situation, and switch when the timing aligns for you.