Press Releases

March 18, 2026

Japan's Mobile Carriers Launch “JAPAN Roaming,” a Nationwide Emergency Roaming Service
— Carriers to provide alternative service through cross-carrier network access during major emergencies —

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NTT DOCOMO, INC.
KDDI Corporation
Okinawa Cellular Telephone Company
SoftBank Corp.
Rakuten Mobile, Inc.

Tokyo, March 18, 2026 – Japan's five leading mobile carriers – NTT DOCOMO, INC., KDDI Corporation, Okinawa Cellular Telephone Company, SoftBank Corp. and Rakuten Mobile, Inc. – today announced the launch of “JAPAN Roaming,” a nationwide emergency roaming service available from April 1, 2026^*1. “JAPAN Roaming” enables users to temporarily connect to another carrier's 4G LTE network if their primary service is disrupted by large-scale disasters or major outages^*2. The initiative aims to ensure critical mobile communication remains available to people when they need it most.

Background
Mobile services are an essential lifeline for daily life, and ensuring continuous connectivity during large-scale disasters, such as earthquakes and typhoons, or significant infrastructure failures, is critical. While the five mobile carriers have promoted landlines, public payphones and free Wi-Fi services, including "00000JAPAN," as alternative communication methods during such incidents, maintaining connectivity for customers without access to these alternatives has remained a significant challenge.

About “JAPAN Roaming”

1. Service Overview

   “JAPAN Roaming” provides users with an emergency network via other mobile carriers when their contracted service is unavailable due to major disasters or outages. The service is intended as an alternative during emergencies and should be used in conjunction with other available options, including landlines, public payphones, fixed internet lines and "00000JAPAN."

   • The service will not be available during normal operating conditions or for minor communication disruptions.

   

2. Service Modes

   The “JAPAN Roaming” service offers two distinct operating modes, which will be activated by the five participating carriers based on the severity of the disaster, including the extent of network damage, the number of affected users and the overall status of communication infrastructure.

   Mode	Voice Calls	Data	SMS
   Full Roaming	Available (including emergency calls)	Available (up to 300kbps)	Available
   Emergency Calls Only	Outgoing calls only to 110 (Police), 119 (Fire/Ambulance), 118 (Japan Coast Guard) (no callback available)	Not available	Not available

   • MVNO customers can use voice calls under the Emergency Calls Only mode, and voice calls and SMS under the Full Roaming mode. More details are available from the respective MVNOs.

3. How to Use

   1. Full Roaming Mode
      

      For users with compatible smartphones, the device will automatically connect to an available network after the full roaming service is activated. The phone's signal indicator will display "JPN-ROAM" or "JpnRoam."

      • When using an Android device for data communications, users may need to turn on data roaming in device settings. Please note that when traveling overseas with data roaming turned on, unexpected data charges may occur. (Some devices may still function even with data roaming turned off.)
      • If users are unable to connect even when “JPN-ROAM” is displayed, the issue may be resolved by changing the network selection setting to Manual Selection. From the list, try selecting one of the following: “JPN-ROAM D,” “JPN-ROAM K,” “JPN-ROAM S,” or “JPN-ROAM R.” (After choosing Manual Selection, please remember to switch the setting back to Automatic Selection once “JAPAN Roaming” has ended.)
   2. Emergency Calls Only Mode
      

      To make an emergency call, users may follow these steps:

      1. Set the network selection to Manual Selection (turn off Automatic Selection) and then select a carrier that is not your contracted provider.

         Emergency Calls Only Mode

         Carrier	Network Names
         NTT DOCOMO	“NTT DOCOMO”, “DOCOMO”, “44010”
         KDDI,Okinawa Cellular	“KDDI”, “KDDI_50”, “44050”
         SoftBank	“SoftBank”, “44020”
         Rakuten Mobile	“Rakuten”, “44011”

         • Selection is possible even if “(Forbidden)” is displayed next to the network name.
      2. Although “No Service” may appear, try making the call repeatedly.
      3. After completing the emergency call, revert your network selection to Automatic Selection. If the setting is not reverted, it might prevent normal communication once “JAPAN Roaming” ends.

4. Compatible Devices

   Devices released from spring 2026 onwards are scheduled to support the full range of “JAPAN Roaming” features. For information on the compatibility of other devices, please refer to each carrier's website.

5. Information on Service Provision

   If “JAPAN Roaming” is activated during a large-scale disaster or outage, the five mobile carriers will provide information on service availability, service modes and coverage areas on their respective websites.

   Enabled by cross-carrier network access, “JAPAN Roaming” is a collaborative initiative that represents the carriers' latest commitment to providing secure mobile services that everyone can rely on with peace of mind.

   For further details regarding eligible customers, usage and compatible devices, please visit each company's website.

   TCA (Telecommunication Carriers Association): https://www.tca.or.jp/information/japan-roaming.html (*Japanese page)
   NTT DOCOMO: https://www.docomo.ne.jp/service/japanroaming/ (*Japanese page)

Notes

1. The service is provided based on coordination among the five mobile carriers in the event of a large-scale disaster or major network outage. It is not available during normal conditions or minor service disruptions.
2. Some services may not be available while using “JAPAN Roaming”. Please check each company's website for specific details.

• Product names and service names published in this press release are generally trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies. Trademarks such as TM and ^® may be omitted when trademarks are listed in this press release.