Getting a cellphone without a job

[NightClover]

One of my first tasks will be getting a cellphone, so employers could call me...

I have a few questions:
Where should I go to get a phone? And how long will it take to get it? Would I only need my US passport and the address where I am staying in Japan? What would they expect as payment? Cash? Would it bother the merchant that I don't have a job?

Should I get a cellphone number before faxing my resumes? It seems to make sense to put a telephone number on my resume. Would it be okay to send out a few without one?

One last question: I need to find a place to do all of my faxing, printing, photocopying, etc. Where in Japan is it best to do this? Is there a name of a famous/popular store that you can give me, so I know where exactly to go. Thanks.

 

[dreamer]

It is impossible if you only have a visitor status (except maybe in some shady shops that make you pay the phone twice its price).

You need either a gaikokujin card or a proof of registration at your city hall.
Also, I went to many softbank shops and they usually ask for you to have a japanese credit card (which is very difficult to get without a job).

I had to find a place in akiba to buy mine even with a 1 year visa...and still...it was a fluke that the guy happened to be understanding and able to speak chinese...

The activation is done right away and it takes only a few minutes to have it done so you can use your phone right away.

As for money, you can pay at a conbini or have them use your japanese bank account.

Edit:
Oh wait...just thinking...
You could always rent a phone, though it'll cost you much more, they usually provide phone rental services at airports.

 

[180 drifter]

what about a prepaid one. i bought one and it was pretty easy. just gotta buy a phone then buy minutes. i think it might be easier to do this rather than trying to set up a contract phone since everything is pre paid. another plus is incoming calls are free.

 

[Udongein]

I found that a prepaid phone (with AU) was ridiculously expensive and inconvenient. However, before getting my visa that's what I had to use.

If you are on a visitor visa, you can get a prepaid phone with your passport and cash. When I first came to Japan I didn't have a job, so that doesn't matter because you just pay there and it's over.

If you're on a long term visa, you have many more options. I've only really dealt with AU, but once I had my gaijin card and proof of a long term visa (written on your gaijin card) I could select any phone I wanted. I can pay with an American credit or debit card too. If you don't want to use a card, then you can just pay at any convenience store or even the phone store.

In any case, I would definetly reccomend having a cell phone number on your resume. Some employers won't even consider you if you have no phone number.