Rakuten Mobile Cancellation Billing Still Charged After Cancel? How to Properly Cancel + [2026 Guide] for Foreign Residents

If you’ve searched something like “Rakuten Mobile cancellation billing still charged after cancel” — you’re not alone. This is one of the most common complaints from former Rakuten Mobile users, and it often comes down to a misunderstanding of how the cancellation process actually works.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through exactly why unexpected charges happen, how to properly cancel your Rakuten Mobile plan, and — if you’re on the fence about canceling — why 2026 might actually be the best time to stay or even re-join.

Why Are You Still Being Charged After Canceling Rakuten Mobile?

Before assuming there’s an error, it helps to understand how Rakuten Mobile’s billing cycle works.

Monthly Billing Is Not Pro-Rated

Rakuten Mobile charges by the calendar month. If you cancel partway through the month, you are still charged the full month’s fee for that billing period. There is no partial refund for unused days.

This means:

If you cancel on March 15, you will still be billed for the entire month of March
The final bill will appear in the following month’s payment cycle

Many users interpret this as “being charged after cancellation,” but it is technically the final bill for your last active month.

Your Cancellation May Not Have Completed

This is the more serious scenario. Rakuten Mobile cancellation is done entirely online through the “My Rakuten Mobile” member portal. It is not completed by:

Calling customer support
Visiting a Rakuten Mobile store and just asking
Removing the SIM card from your phone

You must complete a specific multi-step flow in the member portal for cancellation to take effect. If any step was skipped or you did not receive a cancellation confirmation screen/email, the contract may still be active — and billing will continue.

SIM Return vs. Contract Cancellation

Some users return their physical SIM card thinking that ends the contract. It does not. The SIM card return and the contract cancellation are two separate processes. You must cancel through the portal regardless of what you do with the SIM.

Step-by-Step: How to Properly Cancel Rakuten Mobile

Here is the correct cancellation process to avoid ongoing charges.

Step 1: Log In to My Rakuten Mobile

Go to my.rakuten.co.jp or open the My Rakuten Mobile app. Make sure you are logged in with the Rakuten ID that holds the contract.

Step 2: Navigate to Contract Cancellation

Go to “Contract / Subscription” settings
Look for the option labeled “Cancellation (解約)”
Do not confuse this with “Suspension” (一時停止), which only pauses service temporarily

Step 3: Complete All Confirmation Steps

Rakuten Mobile uses a multi-screen flow to confirm cancellation. You must:

Confirm your phone number
Read and acknowledge the cancellation terms
Confirm the effective date
Submit the final cancellation request

Make sure you reach the final confirmation screen. You should receive an email confirmation afterward. If you don’t receive this email, repeat the process.

Step 4: Check Your Final Bill

Log in to your account about 4–6 weeks after cancellation to verify no additional charges appear. If unexpected charges continue, contact Rakuten Mobile’s online chat support with your cancellation confirmation email as proof.

What About MNP (Carrier Transfer Out)?

If you’re switching to another carrier rather than simply canceling, you’ll need to initiate an MNP transfer (番号ポータビリティ) from the My Rakuten Mobile portal before completing the process at your new carrier.

The good news: Rakuten Mobile does not charge an MNP transfer fee. Once you activate service with your new carrier using the MNP reservation number, your Rakuten Mobile contract is automatically terminated.

Wait — Should You Actually Cancel? Re-Joining in 2026 Has Real Benefits

Here’s something worth considering before you finalize your cancellation: Rakuten Mobile has made significant improvements, and if you’re a foreign resident in Japan, the current plan structure might be more appealing than when you originally signed up.

The Current Plan: ¥3,278/Month, Unlimited Data

Rakuten Mobile currently offers a single plan at ¥3,278 per month (tax included) with unlimited data. There are no tiered data caps, no throttling surprises if you use more data — it’s genuinely unlimited on the Rakuten network, with partner network coverage for areas outside Rakuten’s own towers.

For many foreign residents who stream content, use international messaging apps, or work remotely, this is competitive pricing compared to other major carriers. For a deeper comparison, check out LINEMO vs Rakuten Mobile Comparison [2026 Guide]: Price, Coverage & Points — Which Is Better for Foreign Residents in Japan? to see how it stacks up.

The Employee Referral Campaign: Up to 14,000 Points

This is where it gets genuinely interesting — especially if you’re considering re-joining, adding a second line, or switching from another carrier via MNP.

There is currently an employee referral campaign running that offers significantly better rewards than the standard sign-up campaign:

Application Type	Normal Campaign	Via Referral Link
MNP (carrier switch in)	13,000 points	14,000 points
New signup	—	11,000 points

That’s 1,000 extra points for MNP applications compared to the standard campaign — just for using a referral link.

Important details about these points:

Points are paid in 3 installments, starting 4 months after the month you first log in via the referral link
The points awarded are “limited-period points” (期間限定ポイント), not regular Rakuten points — they have a shorter expiry window, so use them promptly after each installment arrives
You can apply for up to 5 lines per person
Re-contracts and second/additional lines are also eligible — this is an employee referral exclusive benefit not available through standard friend referrals

The Rakuten Link Call Requirement (Important for 2026 Applications)

If you apply on or after March 2, 2026, there is one additional requirement to receive your points: you must make a phone call of 10 seconds or more using the Rakuten Link app.

This applies to voice line contracts
Data-only SIM plans are not eligible for these points
The call must be completed within the qualifying period, so do this early after activation

This is a simple step, but easy to miss if you’re not aware of it. Just make one short call through the Rakuten Link app after setting up your SIM.

If you forgot to use the referral link before applying, there’s a grace period: logging in via the referral URL within 7 days of your application also qualifies. So if you’ve applied recently without using a referral link, you may still be eligible.

Is Rakuten Mobile a Good Fit for Foreign Residents in Japan?

For foreign residents navigating life in Japan, there are a few practical considerations:

Pros:

Application process is available in English (and other languages) through the online portal
No annual contract lock-in — cancel any time with just the one month’s final charge
Rakuten points can be used across a wide ecosystem (shopping, travel, restaurants, etc.)
Unlimited data is useful for heavy usage without worrying about bills changing month to month

Cons:

Coverage can be patchy in rural areas (though urban and suburban coverage has improved substantially)
Customer support is primarily in Japanese, though chat support is accessible
Credit screening is required — if you’re new to Japan or have a limited credit history, there may be some friction (see our guide: Rakuten Mobile Credit Screening Failed? Reasons, Solutions & How to Pass [2026 Guide])

If you’re already embedded in the Rakuten ecosystem — using Rakuten Card, Rakuten Pay, Rakuten Ichiba — adding Rakuten Mobile is a natural way to increase your SPU (Super Point Up Program) multiplier and earn more points on everyday spending.

Summary: Key Takeaways

Still being charged after cancellation? Check that you completed all steps in the My Rakuten Mobile portal and received a confirmation email. Billing for the final month is normal and expected.
Proper cancellation requires completing the online flow — returning a SIM or calling support is not sufficient.
MNP transfers automatically terminate your Rakuten Mobile contract once your new carrier activates service.
Considering re-joining? The current ¥3,278/month unlimited plan with the employee referral campaign offers up to 14,000 points for MNP and 11,000 points for new signups — paid in installments over time as limited-period points.
New requirement from March 2, 2026: Make a 10-second+ call via Rakuten Link app to qualify for points.
Re-contracts and additional lines are eligible through the employee referral — a benefit not available through regular friend referrals.

Apply via Employee Referral Link

If you’ve decided to sign up, switch via MNP, or add a second line, using an employee referral link gives you 1,000 more points than the standard campaign:

👉 Apply via Employee Referral Link (up to 14,000 pts for MNP / 11,000 pts for new signup)

Remember to use the Rakuten Link app to make at least one 10-second call after activation, and keep an eye on your point expiry dates once they start arriving — since these are limited-period points, you’ll want to use them before they expire.