au Mobile Plans in Japan: Worth It For English Speakers?

Picking a phone plan in Japan can feel like a lot—especially when most of the fine print is in Japanese. au Mobile plans come up in almost every comparison since au is one of the country's biggest carriers. But figuring out whether it actually works for an English speaker—and whether it's worth the process—takes some digging.

This guide covers everything in one place: au's main plans, pricing, network quality, what English support is actually available, how to sign up, and how to cancel. We've also flagged a simpler option for anyone who'd rather skip the Japanese paperwork.

Quick Answer: Can Foreigners Apply for au in Japan?

Yes—foreigners can apply for au in Japan, but English support is partial, and the process is much easier if you are comfortable with Japanese.

Sakura Mobile may be a better choice if you:

• Want full English signup and support
• Prefer a simple plan lineup with no long-term contract
• Don't need fully unlimited data

Keep reading for the full breakdown—or if English simplicity is what matters most, see Sakura Mobile's plans →

What au Mobile Plans Are Available?

au is Japan's second-largest mobile carrier, operated by KDDI, with more than 70 million lines across the country.

Plans fall into three main groups: two unlimited data plans and one tiered plan for light users. au also runs an online-only sub-brand called povo 2.0, which uses the same KDDI network. We cover povo 2.0 in a separate guide:

Guide to povo Phone Plans, Prices, Speeds, and How to Apply

Which au Plan Is Best for Your Usage?

• Smartphone Mini Plan+ 5G/4G (スマホミニプラン＋ 5G/4G)—A tiered plan for light users. Your monthly bill depends on how much data you use, up to 5 GB.
• Unlimited Data MAX Plan+ 5G/4G (使い放題MAX＋ 5G/4G)—Unlimited data. Best if you want a lot of data without extra entertainment bundles.
• au Value Link Plan (auバリューリンクプラン)—Also unlimited, bundled with Ponta Pass and other perks. Some versions include streaming services (Netflix, Amazon Prime, DAZN) or rewards tied to au's financial products.

5G vs 4G Plans

au offers both 5G and 4G versions of its main plans at the same monthly price. This article focuses on the 5G versions. If your phone doesn't support 5G, you can select the 4G version instead.

au Pricing, Data Limits, and Tethering

Here's a side-by-side look at all three main plans, ordered from the most budget-friendly to the most premium. All prices are tax-included.

Smartphone Mini Plan+ uses tiered pricing, so your bill moves with your data use. If you use between 1 GB and 3 GB in a month, you'll see 6,578 yen on your bill at the standard rate. The Unlimited Data MAX Plan+ can be bundled with entertainment add-ons like Netflix, YouTube Premium, or DAZN—at an extra monthly cost. These bundles give you access to the Japanese versions of those services, not international libraries.

On unlimited plans, tethering is capped at 60 GB/month. Go over that, and tethering speed drops to 128 kbps for the rest of the month. If your total monthly use tops 200 GB, overall speeds are throttled to 5 Mbps—still usable for most everyday tasks.

au supports eSIM. On a compatible phone, you can sign up and activate without waiting for a physical SIM card to arrive.

⚠️ A Note on au's Advertised Prices

au's published "from" prices usually assume you qualify for several stackable discounts—family plan, home internet, and au PAY Card. Most short-term foreign residents won't qualify for all three, so the standard pre-discount rates above are what you're most likely to pay.

💡 For Comparison: au's Smartphone Mini Plan+ starts at 4,928 yen for around 1 GB. Sakura Mobile's 5 GB plan is 3,278 yen—about 1,650 yen less per month with 4 GB more data.

Is au Fast and Reliable in Japan?

au is Japan's second-largest carrier, with population coverage above 99%. According to Opensignal's April 2026 report, au's average download speed across 4G and 5G was about 55.8 Mbps—plenty for everyday browsing, video streaming, and video calls.

Network Speed and Coverage

Mobile internet tests across 10 cities in Japan show the following iOS speeds:

Download: 88 Mbps to 170 Mbps

Upload: 13 Mbps to 28 Mbps

This means mobile internet is fast enough for streaming, video calls, and everyday use without worrying about slow connections.

At those speeds, everyday online tasks run smoothly. For reference, here's what you typically need:

If you use an MVNO (Mobile Virtual Network Operator—a budget-friendly provider that uses au's network), the signal path is the same—but speeds can slow during peak hours. Before signing up, check au's coverage to confirm your home, workplace, and regular spots are in the service area.

How Much of au Works in English?

au does offer some English support in Japan—but it's worth knowing exactly what's covered before you sign up. You can get through the signup process without speaking Japanese, but handling everything end to end in English is harder than it looks.

• English website: au has an English version of its site, but not every page has been translated. For detailed pricing conditions, certain procedures, and current promotions, you may need to use the Japanese site.
• Multilingual stores: Some au stores have English-speaking staff. Availability varies by location—check the multilingual store locator before you visit.
• English FAQ: au has an English FAQ covering contracts, payment, and common procedures, though not every detail is included.
• Multilingual service guide: au publishes this guide in English, Chinese, and Portuguese. Reading it before signing up gives you a clear picture of what you can and can't handle in English afterward.

Where Foreign Residents May Still Run Into Problems

• Complex plan lineup: Even with English names, comparing similar plans, bundled packs, and discount conditions isn't always easy.
• Japanese-first account management: After signup, managing your account usually means using Japanese apps or pages. Some functions are in English, but not all.
• Phone support wait times: English phone support is available, but wait times can be long during busy hours. Leave yourself some buffer if you need help urgently.
• Japanese-language paperwork: Signup typically requires a zairyu card (residence card) and Japanese forms. If your Japanese is limited, have your documents ready in advance and choose an English-capable store.

💡 For comparison: au offers English pages and some multilingual stores, but much of the post-signup experience stays in Japanese. Sakura Mobile, by contrast runs its entire website, signup, and support in English—so you never have to hit a Japanese-only page.

How to Apply for au as a Foreigner

There are two main ways to sign up for au: online or in store. Online is more convenient if you're comfortable with Japanese-language web pages. Visiting an au shop is the better option if you'd rather go through the process with a staff member by your side.

Can Foreigners Apply? Documents and Requirements

Yes—foreigners can sign up for au with a valid residence status and a zairyu (residence) card.

Here's what you'll typically need:

Typical Documents for Foreign Residents

• Zairyu card (residence card)
• Passport
• My Number card (if you have one)
• A Japanese address
• Credit card or Japanese bank account

For identity verification, au accepts a zairyu card, My Number card, or special permanent resident certificate. A My Number card works, but the paper My Number notification card does not. If you've been in Japan less than 90 days, au usually accepts only a credit card in the contract holder's own name as the payment method.

Exact document and contract requirements vary depending on how you sign up, your length of stay, and your payment method. Always confirm the latest terms on au's site or at a shop before applying.

Applying Online

The basic online sign-up flow:

• Pick a plan on au's website
• Choose a SIM card or eSIM
• Submit your ID documents
• Register a payment method
• Activate your line

Most of the online sign-up is in Japanese. A browser translator—like Chrome's built-in Translate—can help you get through it. If your phone supports eSIM, you can activate immediately without waiting for a physical SIM card in the mail.

Applying in Store

To sign up in person, visit an au Style location or au shop. Check au's multilingual store locator before heading over—not every store has English-speaking staff on duty.

Even at stores listed as multilingual, the staff members available that day may not speak your language. Booking an appointment in advance is a smart move.

Note: Whether you sign up online or in store, new contracts typically include a 3,300 yen (tax incl.) processing fee—unless a promotional offer waives it.

Calling, SMS, and International Use

au's domestic call, SMS, international call, and overseas fees are charged separately from your monthly plan. International calls and roaming in particular vary by destination—check the rate before you use them.

Domestic Calling and SMS Fees

Here are au's domestic calling and SMS rates, including optional call add-ons:

For the full list of per-country rates, see au's international call rates page.

Roaming and Overseas Data Use

Some au plans include au Kaigai Hodai (au海外放題), which covers overseas mobile data use. If you plan is eligible, you get up to 15 days of overseas data per month at no extra charge.

Go over 15 days, and the rate is 1,200 yen per 24-hour period. Eligible plans, countries, and conditions vary—confirm on au's site before you travel.

Voice calls and SMS used overseas are billed separately from au Kaigai Hodai.

povo 2.0 has its own roaming policy, separate from au's. If you're on povo 2.0, double-check the current overseas data terms before your trip.

au World Data Plan (au世界データ定額)

With this plan, you can use your phone in more than 150 countries for a flat daily fee:

• Pre-registered from Japan: 800-1,000 yen per 24-hour period, depending on the country
• Without pre-registration: 1,200 yen per 24-hour period
• Note: Voice calls, video calls, and SMS are billed separately. Data used under this plan counts against your normal monthly allowance—so if you're not on an unlimited plan, keep an eye on your usage while abroad.

How to Cancel or Pause Your au Plan

au no longer locks you into multi-year contracts, but cancellation still follows a very specific process. If you switch providers or leave Japan later, it's worth understanding how cancellation works before you sign up.

How to Cancel Without Losing Your Number

Four things to check when you're ready to cancel:

• How to cancel: You can cancel or port out (MNP) at au shops or through My au (au's online account portal). Available channels can change, so check au's site first.
• Cancellation fees: MNP port-out and cancellation fees are generally not charged. However, for lines sign up on or after October 1, 2025, and cancelled within a year, au may charge up to 1,100 yen.
• MNP (number portability): If you want to take your phone number to a new carrier, start the MNP process before canceling. Once you port out, au automatically closes your line when the new carrier finishes their side.
• Mid-month cancellation: If you cancel mid-month, basic fees are not always prorated. Check your final bill through My au or at an au shop before you cancel.

How to Pause Your Line Instead of Canceling

If you're leaving Japan for a while but want to keep your au phone number, suspension is an option. You can suspend your line—rather than cancel it—through My au online.

💡 Fees: au charges 3,850 yen (tax incl.) at the time of application, plus 409 yen/month (tax incl.) while suspended, plus the Universal Service fee. Your phone number and au email address are held for up to 5 years.

Sakura Mobile, by contrast, holds your number for just 220 yen/month with no contract processing fee—about half the monthly cost, and no upfront or additional charges. If you travel frequently or plan to return to Japan later, that difference can add up quickly.

What to Check Before You Stop Your Service

Before you cancel or switch, run through this checklist:

• Check whether you still owe installments on your phone
• If you want to keep your number, line up the MNP process before canceling
• Back up any contacts and data stored in au email or au's cloud
• Check whether active discounts or contract conditions affect your cancellation timing
• Confirm your final billing date and amount through My au or at an au shop

au vs Sakura Mobile: Which Is Easier for English Speakers?

Here's a direct comparison to help you decide which plan makes more sense for your situtation:

*(With au, there is also a universal service fee and a telephone relay service fee you need to pay monthly while suspended.)

au is a strong choice if you're comfortable navigating Japanese interfaces along the way. If English simplicity matters more to you, Sakura Mobile is built specifically for foreign residents—with full English support, transparent pricing, and no long-term contract.

FAQ: au for Foreign Residents in Japan

Need a Simpler Option in English?

Sakura Mobile offers exactly what most English speakers in Japan are looking for: simple plans, full English support, and no long-term contract.

Sakura Mobile Voice + Data SIM/eSIM

• Plans from 3,278 yen/month (5 GB, tax incl.) up to 100 GB
• docomo's fast 5G/4G network—nationwide coverage
• Full English support, 7 days a week
• Get Voice + Data eSIM via email after approval, or recieve a SIM card in 1-3 days (5-7 days for MNP).
• A real Japanese phone number (070/080/090)
• Discounted international calls with Sakura Dial (16.5 yen / 30 seconds)