Phones

For safety reasons, students are expected to have a local number/email address/SNS account and keep their phone charged at all times.  The cost of this has been accounted for in your estimated personal expenses.

There are three major cell phone service providers: au, docomo, softbank. They offer virtually the same services at similar rates. Most students do not choose these major service providers. If you have a SIM free phone, pre-paid data SIM cards or relatively cheaper phone service providers are available for short-term visitors. The School in Japan organizes an orientation of SIM card purchase, and a trip to a shop to purchase a cell phone if necessary.

Japan is 13-14 hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time depending on the time of year. The time difference can be checked at: https://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/

For dialing direct to Japan:

011: U.S. International Dialing Code

81:  Country code for Japan

Example: 011+ Country code+ local phone number