Job Discussion Forums

jr1965 · Joined: 09 Jul 2004 Posts: 175

Hi everyone:

Can you help me out with a question I haven't seen covered here?

I'm going to be in Japan soon and need to be able to text people (in Japan) in English. When I do this, will they be able to read my messages if they've got a Japanese phone? What I mean is, do most (or all) Japanese phones support the Latin/Roman alphabet for texting?

Also, will people in Japan be able to text me in English from their phones?

Final question: How common is texting (SMS) in Japan?

Thanks in advance.

mc · Joined: 20 Jan 2003 Posts: 90 Location: Aichi, Japan

No worries about being able to send/receive English texts from any handset you buy. Texting is very prevalent here.

jr1965 · Joined: 09 Jul 2004 Posts: 175

Thanks MC. I appreciate the quick response.

Bread · Joined: 24 May 2009 Posts: 318

SMS is almost nonexistent, but that's because it's garbage. Japanese phones send regular emails (MMS)

mc · Joined: 20 Jan 2003 Posts: 90 Location: Aichi, Japan

I wouldn't say SMS is nonexistent. It's used quite often between people on the same carrier because it's usually a free option. But yes, MMS is definitely used more commonly.

jr1965 · Joined: 09 Jul 2004 Posts: 175

So people tend to send emails rather than texts?.OK... I did not know that. What if I want to text someone with a different carrier -- will that work or do I have to email the person (from my phone)?

Also: Can a person text me if he only has my phone number (and were not using the same carrier)?

Thanks again.

Bread · Joined: 24 May 2009 Posts: 318

SMS goes by phone number, but email (I get free unlimited emails for 300 yen per month) is separate from the number. You can set it to whatever you want, change it whenever you want, it works like a regular email address, and you don't need to give your phone number to people for them to use it.

wayne432 · Joined: 05 Jun 2008 Posts: 255

All phones come with an email address assigned to it... you can then change it to your liking.

Yes, anyone can text you if they have your phone number (regardless of carrier). Depending on your plan, it might cost you money or be included in a texting plan.

Most people in Japan only use phone numbers for actual calling. Texting is generally done via phone mail.

jr1965 · Joined: 09 Jul 2004 Posts: 175

Thanks to everyone who replied. You've answered my questions.

jr1965 · Joined: 09 Jul 2004 Posts: 175

I've got another mobile phone Q:

Do most cell phones in Japan allow people to surf the Web? In other words, if you want to access a given site (e.g., www.nytimes.com), can *most* people do this on their phones?

G Cthulhu · Posted: Mon Oct 04, 2010 8:03 pm Post subject:

jr1965 · Joined: 09 Jul 2004 Posts: 175

^ That's what I thought, but wanted to be sure before I head over there. Thanks for your help.