When relocating to Malaysia for education,should you keep your Japanese phone number?
A thorough comparison of ahamo, Rakuten Mobile, and povo
"Is it okay to cancel my Japanese mobile number?" "What about SMS verification?" "Is a local SIM enough on its own?" "Which is better — ahamo, Rakuten Mobile, or povo?" — These are the kinds of questions that come up when preparing for an education relocation or mother-child study abroad in Malaysia. A local SIM is fine for everyday life, but if you use Japanese bank accounts, credit cards, or brokerage accounts, there will be situations where a Japanese number is still required. We compare three services popular among education-relocating families and explain which type of person each one suits best.
- Want to maintain a Japanese number at low cost
- Want to keep a number for SMS verification
- A local SIM is sufficient for everyday data use
- Want to maintain a Japanese number
- May need to make calls to Japan
- Want some data connectivity overseas as well
- Heading to Malaysia for the first time on a scouting trip
- Want connectivity from the moment you arrive
- Visiting schools and properties on a short-term schedule
ahamo / Rakuten Mobile / povoComparison Table
| Item | ahamo | Rakuten Mobile | povo |
|---|---|---|---|
| Japanese number retention | ◎ | ◎ | ◎ |
| SMS verification | ◎ | ◎ | ◎ |
| Calls to Japan | ○ | ◎ | △ |
| Overseas data usage | ◎ | ○ | △ |
| Ease of use upon arrival | ◎ | ○ | △ |
| Scouting trips / short-term stays | ◎ | ○ | △ |
| Suited for long-term overseas living | △ | ◎ | ○ |
| Monthly maintenance cost | △ | ○ | ◎ |
| Ease of management | ◎ | ○ | △ |
※ Fees and conditions are subject to change. Please check the latest information on each official website.
For long-term educational relocation,Rakuten Mobile or povo
Once daily life in Malaysia begins, most families use a local SIM for everyday communication. As a result, what families need from a Japanese phone plan comes down to these three points.
- Keeping a Japanese phone number
- SMS verification
- Being able to use it only when needed
povo for cost-conscious number maintenance
povo is ideal for those who want to keep a Japanese number at the lowest possible cost. Many families use it solely for SMS verification, making it a strong option for those who think "I don't use it regularly, but I just want to keep the number."
Rakuten Mobile if you also need to make calls
A major feature of Rakuten Mobile is access to the free calling app Rakuten Link. While living abroad, you may find yourself needing to call banks, credit card companies, or various customer service lines more often than you'd expect. If making calls to Japan is also a priority, Rakuten Mobile is the convenient choice.
For scouting trips or short-term stays,ahamo
On your first scouting trip to Malaysia, having reliable connectivity right from the moment you arrive is an enormous advantage. Because ahamo supports international roaming, you can do all of the following as soon as you land.
- Call a Grab at the airport
- Head to school visits
- Contact people via WhatsApp
- Use Google Maps
It is an especially convenient option for scouting trips of around one to two weeks.
So,which one should you choose?
Which has the best overall balance?
From the perspective of education relocation or mother-child study abroad,Rakuten Mobile is the most well-balanced optionin our view. This is because it is easy to cover not only keeping a Japanese number, but also SMS verification, calls to Japan, and overseas use.
On the other hand, choosing povo if cost is your top priority, or ahamo if scouting trips are your focus, are both perfectly reasonable approaches.
Best choice by type
✓Lowest maintenance cost → povo
✓Also need to call Japan → Rakuten Mobile(Best overall balance)
✓Scouting trip / short-term stay → ahamo
✓For everyday data, whichever you choose, a local SIM is the standard
Our comment
We actually keep a Japanese number ourselves. Once life abroad begins, usage drops significantly, but there are situations where it is needed — such as SMS verification for banks or credit cards, or making enquiries. For this reason, we recommend that anyone planning an education relocation think before departure about how to keep their Japanese number.
Frequently askedquestions
Is a Japanese number essential when relocating to Malaysia?
Which service is best suited for SMS verification?
Which service is recommended for a scouting trip?
Which service is recommended for long-term education relocation?
Detailed explanation of each service
If you would like to learn more about each service, please take a look at the individual articles as well.
Also check out
- ✓ SIM Card Comparison (Catalogue) — Compare local SIMs by price and support
- ✓ Malaysia Wi-Fi & Internet Connection Guide — Find out how to choose a home internet plan here
