For Families Relocating to Malaysia for Education / Mother-Child Study Abroad

When relocating to Malaysia for education,
should you keep your Japanese number?
How to maintain it at low cost with povo

When preparing for an educational relocation to Malaysia or a mother-child study abroad program, it's easy to focus on choosing a school, finding housing, and applying for a visa. What tends to get put off, however, is the question of "what to do with your Japanese mobile number." Even if a local SIM is sufficient for everyday communication, there are situations where a Japanese number is necessary if you use Japanese bank accounts, credit cards, or brokerage accounts. That's where povo comes in as a strong candidate.

📅 Latest information for 2026 | About a 6-minute read

Conclusion First

Who povo is recommended for

  • Those who want to keep a Japanese number at the lowest possible cost
  • Those who want to keep a number for SMS verification
  • A local SIM is sufficient for everyday communication
  • Managing it about once every six months is not a problem

Who it is not recommended for

  • Those who want to keep a number without ever doing anything
  • Those who frequently make calls to Japan
  • Those who want to use a Japanese line for data right after arriving

povo is"a sub-line for maintaining a Japanese number at low cost"and is easiest to understand when thought of that way.

Table of Contents
  1. Why You Still Need a Japanese Number Even After Moving to Malaysia
  2. Why povo is Suited to Families Who Have Relocated for Education
  3. Watch Out for povo's 180-Day Rule
  4. Can You Receive SMS Verification Codes with povo?
  5. Comparison: povo, Rakuten Mobile, and ahamo
  6. Who povo Is and Isn't Right For
  7. Pre-Departure Checklist
  8. Conclusion | povo Is a Leading Option for Maintaining a Japanese Number
  9. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Chapter 1

Even after moving to Malaysia,why a Japanese number is still necessary

Once you start living in Malaysia, opportunities to use your Japanese phone number decrease significantly. Even so, there are still situations where a Japanese number is needed. Here are some examples.

  • Logging in to a Japanese bank account
  • Completing identity verification for a credit card
  • Using a brokerage account
  • Receiving SMS verification codes

SMS verification is particularly tricky. SMS messages that you could receive without a second thought while in Japan may become inaccessible if you cancel your Japanese number.

For this reason, many families who relocate for education or participate in mother-child study abroad programs choose to keep their Japanese number.

Chapter 2

Why povo issuited to families who have relocated for education

povo is an online-only plan that can be used starting at a base fee of 0 yen. For families relocating to Malaysia for education, it is commonly used by keeping povo for maintaining a Japanese number while handling everyday communication with a local SIM.

Since it is not a line used every day, a key feature is how easy it is to limit usage to SMS verification, maintaining a registered number for banks and credit card companies, and using it during temporary return visits to Japan.

About povo's maintenance costs

povo has a base fee of 0 yen, but that does not mean it can be kept indefinitely without doing anything. Because of the 180-day rule described below, you need to purchase a paid add-on periodically. The add-on content and pricing are subject to change, but many users are maintaining their numbers at a relatively low cost.

As a result, rather than "paying a fee every month,""paying a maintenance fee every six months"is a closer description of how this service works.

💡 Many of the low-cost add-ons are intended for use within Japan. Some users purchase them solely to maintain their number, even if they have no plans to use the service while in Malaysia.
Chapter 3

povo's180-Day Rule— What You Need to Know

If you are using povo, the 180-day rule is something you absolutely need to be aware of. With povo, if there is no paid topping purchase for a certain period after your last one, your service may be suspended or your contract may be terminated.

⚠️ This is not a service where you can simply ignore it because it costs nothing.If a certain period passes since your last paid topping purchase, your service may be suspended or your contract may be terminated.

That said, managing this does not have to be complicated. As long as you remember to purchase a paid topping roughly once every six months, you should be fine. Setting a reminder in your calendar or on your smartphone is a good way to stay on top of it.

Chapter 4

Can You ReceiveSMS Verification Codes with povo?

One of the biggest concerns for people living abroad is SMS verification. With povo, SMS is available if you are on the voice call + data plan. However, SMS is not available on the data-only plan. If your goal is to keep a Japanese number or receive SMS verification codes, make sure to check your contract type carefully.

There are cases where sending an SMS is required

SMS verification often only requires receiving a message, but some services may also require you to send one. Sending an SMS may incur a charge, so it is a good idea to check the latest information before using it.

It is recommended to set up your eSIM while still in Japan

povo also supports eSIM. While it is possible to complete the setup after arriving in Malaysia, you may run into difficulties with identity verification or connectivity issues. For those relocating for educational purposes or mothers studying abroad with their children, it is recommended to complete the activation process, including confirmation, while you are still in Japan.

Chapter 5

povo · Rakuten Mobile · ahamoComparison

Category povo Rakuten Mobile ahamo
Keeping a Japanese Number ◎Easy to maintain at low cost ◎ ◎
SMS Verification ◎Well-suited for verification purposes ◎ ◎
Calls to Japan △ ◎ ○
Overseas Data Usage △ ○ ◎
Ease of Use Upon Arrival △ ○ ◎
Pre-move Visits & Short-term Stays △ ○ ◎
For long-term overseas residents ○ ◎ △
Monthly maintenance cost ◎Easy to keep low ○ △
Ease of management △ ○ ◎

※ Prices and conditions are subject to change. Please check the latest information on each official website.

In a nutshell

  • povo: Best for those who want to keep their Japanese number at the lowest possible cost.
  • Rakuten Mobile: Best for those who want a good balance of maintaining a Japanese number, free calls, and overseas use.
  • ahamo: Best for those who want reliable connectivity from the moment they arrive, whether for a scouting trip or short-term stay.
Chapter 6

Who povois and isn't a good fit for

Who povo is a good fit for

  • Want to maintain a Japanese number at low cost
  • Want to keep a number for SMS verification
  • Use a local SIM for everyday communication

Who povo is not a good fit for

  • Want to manage it completely hands-off
  • Make frequent calls to Japan
  • Not comfortable with account management

povo's greatest appeal is that it allows you to "maintain your number at low cost." In return, you need to manage the 180-day rule.

Chapter 7

Pre-departureChecklist

It is a good idea to confirm the following before departure.

Things to confirm before departure

  • ✓Identify services that require SMS verification
  • ✓Check your eSIM and contract details
  • ✓Register the 180-day rule management date in your calendar
Conclusion

povo is astrong candidate for maintaining a Japanese number

When relocating to Malaysia for education, having a local SIM means you won't have trouble with everyday communication. However, if you use Japanese banks or credit cards, there will be situations where you need a Japanese phone number.

povo is well suited for households that prioritise maintaining a Japanese number, SMS verification, and low-cost operation.

A practical way to use both

✓For everyday communication, use alocal SIM
✓To keep your Japanese number, usepovo

This combination is one practical option for families who have relocated abroad for educational purposes.

Editor's Comment

We actually keep our Japanese number active at home. We rarely use it on a day-to-day basis, but it sometimes becomes necessary for SMS verification with banks and credit cards. For that reason, we use a local SIM for everyday communication and maintain our Japanese number on a separate line.

FAQ

Frequently AskedQuestions

Do I still need a Japanese phone number after moving to Malaysia?
It is not strictly required. However, SMS verification may be needed for Japanese bank accounts, credit cards, and brokerage accounts. We recommend checking which services are registered before cancelling your number.
Can I receive SMS on povo while overseas?
SMS is available on plans that include calls and data. It is not available on data-only plans, so please check the details of your contract.
How much does it cost to maintain povo per year?
The cost depends on the add-ons you purchase. Some users manage by periodically purchasing relatively low-cost add-ons. Please check the official website for the latest pricing.
Related Articles

Smartphone Plans Before Moving Abroad

Comparing povo, Rakuten Mobile, and ahamo makes it easy to categorise your options: povo for keeping your number, Rakuten Mobile if you want to use it a little while abroad, and ahamo for scouting trips or short-term stays.

Rakuten Mobile
Should You Keep Rakuten Mobile for a Mother-Child Study Abroad in Malaysia?
→
ahamo
Reducing Connectivity Concerns for Malaysia Scouting Trips and Short-Term Stays with ahamo
→
Summary
Should You Keep a Japanese Number? A Thorough Comparison of Three Carriers
→
🔗 Related

Also Worth Checking

※ Prices and terms are subject to change. Please check the official povo website for the latest information before publication.