Thinking about canceling Rakuten Mobile — or maybe switching away from your current carrier to Rakuten Mobile and want to understand all the rules first? Either way, this guide covers everything a foreign resident in Japan needs to know: how the cancellation process actually works, whether there are any fees, the best timing to cancel, and a few critical things to watch out for so you don’t lose money or points.
Let’s break it all down clearly.
Why Foreign Residents Often Search for Rakuten Mobile Cancellation Info
It might seem counterintuitive — why would someone researching a new carrier immediately search for cancellation info? But it actually makes a lot of sense.
Before committing to any mobile plan, smart consumers want to know: “What happens if this doesn’t work out?” That’s especially true for foreign residents in Japan, who may already have had bad experiences with long-term contracts, hidden fees, or confusing Japanese-only support processes at other carriers.
The good news: Rakuten Mobile is one of the most cancellation-friendly carriers in Japan. But there are still some important rules and timing considerations to get right.
Does Rakuten Mobile Have a Cancellation Fee?
Short answer: No, there is no cancellation fee.
Unlike older contract structures at major carriers like docomo or au, Rakuten Mobile does not require a minimum contract period and does not charge a cancellation penalty. You can cancel at any time without paying a termination fee.
This makes it a very low-risk option — you’re not locked in. However, “no cancellation fee” does not mean “zero charges when you cancel.” Here’s what you still need to be aware of:
You Are Charged for the Full Final Month
Rakuten Mobile charges by the calendar month. Even if you cancel on the 2nd of the month, you will be billed for that entire month at ¥3,278 (tax included). There is no pro-rated billing on the final month.
This is one of the most common surprises for people canceling mid-month. If you’re trying to minimize costs, aim to cancel as close to the end of the month as possible — ideally the last day or even the last few days.
For a full breakdown of how Rakuten Mobile’s billing cycle works and exactly when charges hit your account, see this detailed explanation: Rakuten Mobile Billing Cycle & Payment Date Explained — Plus When Rakuten Card Charges You [2026 Guide]
How to Cancel Rakuten Mobile: Step-by-Step
Cancellation is done online through My Rakuten Mobile — you do not need to visit a physical store or call customer support (unless you prefer to).
Step 1: Log In to My Rakuten Mobile
Go to the official My Rakuten Mobile page and log in with your Rakuten ID. Make sure you’re logged into the correct account if you have multiple lines.
Step 2: Navigate to “解約” (Cancellation)
Under your contract or plan settings, look for the cancellation option. The Japanese word is 解約 (kaiyaku). The interface is primarily in Japanese, so if you’re not comfortable reading it, use your browser’s translation feature.
Step 3: Confirm Your Identity
You may be asked to verify your identity via SMS or email. Follow the prompts.
Step 4: Return the SIM Card (Physical SIM Only)
If you’re using a physical SIM card, you are required to return it to Rakuten Mobile after cancellation. Rakuten will send a return envelope. If you do not return the SIM, you may be charged a fee (typically around ¥3,300).
If you’re on an eSIM, there is nothing physical to return.
Step 5: Final Billing
Your service ends at the end of the cancellation month, and your final bill will be charged as usual according to your registered payment method.
What About MNP (Number Portability) Out from Rakuten Mobile?
If you’re switching away from Rakuten Mobile to another carrier and want to keep your phone number, you’ll need to obtain an MNP transfer code (MNP予約番号) first.
You can do this through My Rakuten Mobile:
- Go to account settings and look for MNP転出 (MNP transfer out)
- The code is valid for 15 days from issuance
- There is no fee to issue an MNP transfer code at Rakuten Mobile
Once you use the MNP code to sign up with your new carrier, your Rakuten Mobile contract will automatically cancel — you don’t need to manually cancel it separately.
Things to Watch Out For Before Canceling
⚠️ Rakuten Points You Haven’t Used Yet
If you’ve accumulated Rakuten Points through your mobile plan usage or campaigns, check your balance before canceling. Some points — particularly limited-period points — have expiration dates and may disappear if you don’t use them in time.
This is especially relevant if you joined through a referral campaign. More on that below.
⚠️ Physical SIM Return Deadline
As mentioned, failure to return your physical SIM card results in a penalty charge. Don’t ignore the return envelope Rakuten mails to you.
⚠️ If You Have Multiple Lines
If you have more than one line under your account, make sure you’re canceling the correct line. Canceling the wrong one can be a painful mistake.
For more on common cancellation issues and billing surprises, this article goes into even more detail: Rakuten Mobile Cancellation Billing Still Charged After Cancel? How to Properly Cancel + [2026 Guide] for Foreign Residents
Actually Thinking of Joining Rakuten Mobile? Read This First
If you landed on this page while researching Rakuten Mobile before signing up — not to cancel — then you’re in the right place. Understanding the exit process is part of making an informed decision. And the fact that Rakuten Mobile is so easy to cancel is actually a strong argument in its favor.
Here’s a quick summary of why Rakuten Mobile is worth considering, especially as a foreign resident:
- ¥3,278/month (tax included) for completely unlimited data — no throttling, no tiers
- Works across Rakuten’s own network and partners with au for wide coverage
- No cancellation fees, no minimum contract
- eSIM support — fast activation, no waiting for a physical SIM
- International calls via Rakuten Link app are free to many countries
The Employee Referral Campaign: A Smarter Way to Sign Up
Before you sign up through the standard campaign page, it’s worth knowing about Rakuten Mobile’s employee referral program — it offers more points than the regular friend referral campaign.
Here’s the comparison:
| Signup Type | Normal Campaign | Via Employee Referral |
|---|---|---|
| MNP (carrier switch) | 13,000 points | 14,000 points |
| New number signup | — | 11,000 points |
That’s 1,000 extra points on top of the best standard offer when you switch via MNP. And for new signups, the employee referral unlocks 11,000 points — a bonus not typically available through the regular campaign.
Who Is Eligible?
This is an important and often overlooked detail: the employee referral campaign is not just for first-time Rakuten Mobile users. Unlike the standard friend referral program, employee referrals are also eligible for:
- Re-contracts (people who have canceled before and are signing up again)
- 2nd lines and additional lines (up to 5 lines per person)
This makes it much more flexible than the standard campaign.
Important Conditions to Qualify for Points
Make sure you understand these requirements before applying:
-
For applications from March 2, 2026 onward: You must make at least one phone call of 10 seconds or more using the Rakuten Link app after activating your line. Data-only SIM plans are not eligible.
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Points are paid in 3 installments, starting 4 months after the month you logged in via the referral link.
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Login rescue rule: Even if you apply without clicking the referral link first, you can still qualify if you log into your Rakuten Mobile account via the referral URL within 7 days of completing your application.
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The points awarded are limited-period points — not regular Rakuten Points. This matters because limited-period points have a shorter expiration window. Use them quickly once they arrive, or they will expire and be lost.
How to Access the Employee Referral Link
You can sign up through this employee referral link to receive the higher point bonus:
👉 Click here to sign up via employee referral
Apply via this link, activate your line, make one Rakuten Link call of at least 10 seconds, and you’re on track to receive your points.
Summary: Key Takeaways for Foreign Residents
Here’s a quick recap of everything covered in this guide:
On cancellation:
- ✅ No cancellation fee
- ✅ Cancel anytime online through My Rakuten Mobile
- ⚠️ Billed for the full final month — cancel near month-end to save money
- ⚠️ Return physical SIM card or face a penalty charge
- ⚠️ Use any limited-period points before canceling
On signing up:
- ✅ ¥3,278/month, truly unlimited data
- ✅ Employee referral gives 14,000 points (MNP) or 11,000 points (new signup)
- ✅ Re-contracts and additional lines are also eligible under employee referral
- ⚠️ Must make a 10-second+ call via Rakuten Link app to qualify for points (from March 2, 2026)
- ⚠️ Points are limited-period — use them before they expire
Final Thoughts
Rakuten Mobile is genuinely one of the most foreigner-friendly mobile carriers in Japan when it comes to flexibility. No lock-in contracts, transparent pricing, and a straightforward cancellation process make it a low-risk choice.
If you’re ready to switch, do it the smart way — use the employee referral link to get the maximum point bonus, and remember to make that first Rakuten Link call to lock in your eligibility.
👉 Sign up via employee referral — up to 14,000 points
Have questions about setup after signing up? Check out this helpful resource for getting your iPhone configured: iPhone Rakuten Mobile Setup Guide: APN & eSIM Configuration for Foreign Residents [2026 Guide]