Rakuten Mobile for Foreigners in Japan: Demerits, au Comparison & 2026 Complete Signup Guide [2026 Guide]
Are you a foreign resident in Japan wondering whether Rakuten Mobile is actually worth switching to in 2026? Maybe you’re currently on au and heard that Rakuten Mobile is cheaper — but you’ve also heard there are some serious drawbacks. This guide covers everything you need to know: the real demerits, an honest comparison with au, and how to maximize your signup bonus through an employee referral campaign.
Why Foreign Residents Are Considering Rakuten Mobile in 2026
Japan’s mobile market has always been expensive by global standards, but Rakuten Mobile has changed the equation significantly. For many foreigners living in Japan — whether on a work visa, student visa, or long-term residency — the appeal is simple: one flat monthly plan at ¥3,278 (tax included) for unlimited data, no tiered pricing, no throttling surprises at the end of the month.
That said, “cheap” doesn’t always mean “right for everyone.” Before making the switch, especially from a major carrier like au, you need to understand the trade-offs clearly.
Honest Demerits of Rakuten Mobile in 2026
Let’s get the negatives out of the way first — because knowing the downsides helps you make a smarter decision.
1. Network Coverage Is Still Catching Up
Rakuten Mobile operates its own 4G/5G network, but in rural areas and certain underground or indoor locations, coverage can be spotty. In urban areas like Tokyo, Osaka, and Nagoya, performance is generally solid. But if you frequently travel to rural prefectures or mountainous regions, you may experience dead zones more often than with au or NTT Docomo.
Tip for foreigners: If your job or lifestyle keeps you mostly in major cities, this is unlikely to be a daily issue. But if you travel around Japan frequently, keep this in mind.
2. Customer Support Can Be Challenging
For Japanese natives, navigating Rakuten Mobile’s chat-based or in-store support is manageable. For foreign residents, however, English-language support is limited. Most support interactions happen in Japanese, via chat or in-store staff. If your Japanese isn’t strong, troubleshooting issues can be frustrating.
3. Rakuten Link App Is Now Required for Point Eligibility
This is a critical point for anyone signing up from March 2, 2026 onward: to receive your signup bonus points, you must make at least one phone call of 10 seconds or more using the Rakuten Link app. Data-only SIM applications are not eligible for the point campaign.
This is a minor hurdle but an important one — don’t skip it after activating your SIM.
4. Limited to 5 Lines Per Person
Rakuten Mobile caps the number of lines per person at 5 lines. For most individuals and small families, this is more than enough, but it’s worth knowing if you manage multiple lines for a household.
5. No Traditional “Carrier Email” Address
Major carriers like au provide a carrier-specific email address (e.g., @ezweb.ne.jp). Rakuten Mobile does not offer this. For most foreigners who rely on Gmail or other international email services, this is a non-issue — but if you’ve shared your au email address with Japanese institutions, you’ll need to update those contacts before switching.
Rakuten Mobile vs. au: A Direct Comparison
If you’re currently on au, here’s what the switch actually looks like in practical terms.
| Feature | Rakuten Mobile | au (typical plan) |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly fee (unlimited) | ¥3,278 | ¥7,000–¥9,000+ |
| Network coverage | Own network + roaming | Nationwide, strong rural coverage |
| 5G availability | Yes (expanding) | Yes (mature) |
| English support | Limited | Slightly better |
| Contract lock-in | None | Varies |
| Signup bonus (via referral) | Up to 14,000 pts | N/A |
The monthly savings alone — potentially ¥4,000–¥6,000 per month — add up quickly. Over a year, switching from a standard au plan to Rakuten Mobile could save you ¥48,000–¥72,000. That’s significant, especially for foreign residents managing international remittances or saving for travel.
If you’re weighing other budget carrier options, it’s also worth reading this comparison: povo2.0 vs Rakuten Mobile: Price, Top-Up, Points & Which Is Better for Foreign Residents in Japan [2026 Guide] — povo2.0 is au’s own sub-brand, and the comparison may surprise you.
The Employee Referral Campaign: How to Get Up to 14,000 Points
Here’s where things get genuinely interesting for anyone planning to sign up. Rakuten Mobile runs an employee referral campaign that offers more points than the standard public campaign.
What Are the Point Amounts?
- MNP (number portability / carrier switch): 14,000 points via employee referral
- New number signup: 11,000 points via employee referral
- Normal MNP campaign (without referral): 13,000 points
In other words, using an employee referral link gives you 1,000 extra points on top of the already-generous MNP campaign. For a new number signup, the difference is even more significant.
Who Is Eligible?
This is where the employee referral campaign stands out:
- Re-contracts (if you previously cancelled Rakuten Mobile and are rejoining) ✅
- 2nd or additional lines under your existing account ✅
These two eligibility categories are exclusive to the employee referral campaign and are not available through the normal friend referral program. If you’ve been with Rakuten Mobile before or want to add a second line, this is the campaign you want.
Important: Points Are “Limited-Period Points”
One detail that catches many people off guard: the points awarded through this campaign are limited-period points (期間限定ポイント), not regular Rakuten points. This means they have a shorter expiry window than standard points. Use them promptly — check the expiry date in your Rakuten account and plan to spend them on eligible services before they expire.
Limited-period points can be used at Rakuten Ichiba (online shopping), Rakuten Pay at physical stores, and various Rakuten services. They cannot be transferred or exchanged for cash.
When Will You Receive the Points?
Points are paid in 3 installments, starting 4 months after the month in which you logged in via the referral URL. So if you log in via the referral link in June 2026, your first installment arrives around October 2026.
Login rescue rule: If you apply and forget to log in via the referral URL at the time of application, you have a 7-day window after the application date to log in via the referral URL and still qualify. Don’t panic if you didn’t click the link at the exact moment of signup — but don’t wait too long either.
Step-by-Step: How to Apply via Employee Referral
Here’s the process in plain terms:
Step 1: Access the Referral Link
Click the employee referral URL to land on the Rakuten Mobile signup page. This registers the referral relationship on Rakuten’s system.
👉 Employee Referral Link: https://r10.to/henTIE
Step 2: Choose Your Application Type
Select one of the following:
- MNP (number portability): Switching from au, SoftBank, Docomo, or another carrier while keeping your current phone number
- New number: Getting a brand-new Rakuten Mobile number
If you’re switching from au with MNP, you’ll need to obtain your MNP transfer code (MNP予約番号) from au before completing the Rakuten application.
Step 3: Prepare Your Documents
As a foreign resident, you’ll typically need:
- Residence card (在留カード / Zairyu Card)
- Passport (may be required for identity verification)
- A Japanese bank account or credit card for payment
- Your current SIM (if doing MNP)
Step 4: Complete Identity Verification (eKYC)
Rakuten Mobile offers online identity verification through the app or website. The process involves photographing your residence card and taking a selfie. For most people, this takes less than 10 minutes.
Step 5: Activate and Make Your First Rakuten Link Call
Once your SIM arrives (or your eSIM is activated), open the Rakuten Link app and make a call of at least 10 seconds. This is required for point eligibility for applications from March 2, 2026 onward. Call a friend, your building’s front desk, or any number you have permission to call — just make sure the call lasts 10 seconds or longer.
Is Rakuten Mobile Worth It If You’ve Had Regrets Before?
Some people have switched to Rakuten Mobile, found the coverage disappointing, and cancelled — only to reconsider years later as the network has matured. If that sounds like you, the re-contract eligibility of the employee referral campaign is particularly relevant.
And if you’re coming from SoftBank specifically, you might find this article useful before making your decision: Regrets After Switching from SoftBank to Rakuten Mobile: Reasons, Checklist & How to Avoid Failure [2026 Guide]. The checklist in that guide applies equally well to au users considering the switch.
Tips for Foreign Residents Specifically
- Pay with a Rakuten Card if you have one — this stacks additional Rakuten points on your monthly bill and increases your SPU (Super Point-Up Program) multiplier for shopping.
- Set up Rakuten Pay early so you have somewhere to spend your limited-period points before they expire.
- Check indoor coverage at your home and workplace before fully cancelling your existing plan. You can test Rakuten Mobile with a second SIM during a trial period.
- Keep documentation handy: Your residence card must be valid and match the name on your Rakuten account.
Final Thoughts: Should You Switch in 2026?
For the majority of foreign residents living in urban Japan, Rakuten Mobile in 2026 offers a genuinely compelling value proposition: unlimited data at ¥3,278/month with no hidden tiers, and up to 14,000 bonus points if you sign up via the employee referral campaign during MNP.
The demerits — coverage gaps in rural areas, limited English support, and the Rakuten Link call requirement — are real, but manageable for most city-based residents. If you’ve been paying ¥7,000–¥9,000/month on au, the math makes the switch hard to ignore.
If you’re ready to move forward, use the employee referral link below to access the higher point bonus, and remember to make that first Rakuten Link call after activation.
👉 Apply via Employee Referral (up to 14,000 points): https://r10.to/henTIE
Take your time reviewing the campaign terms in your Rakuten account after signup, note the expiry date on your limited-period points, and enjoy significantly lower monthly bills going forward.