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

Should You Keep Rakuten Mobile
When Relocating to Malaysia for Education?
Japanese Number, Free Calls, and Overseas Usage Explained

When preparing for an educational relocation to Malaysia or a mother-child study abroad, it's easy to focus on school selection, visa applications, finding a place to live, and living expenses. One thing that tends to get pushed to the back burner, however, is what to do with your Japanese mobile number. A local SIM card is perfectly fine for day-to-day life, but if you need to use Japanese bank accounts, credit cards, or brokerage accounts, there will still be situations where a Japanese number is required. That's where Rakuten Mobile comes in as a top candidate.

📅 Latest Information for 2026 | Approximately 6-minute read

Conclusion First

Who Rakuten Mobile Is Recommended For

  • Want to keep a Japanese phone number
  • May need to make calls to Japan
  • Want some data connectivity overseas
  • Plan to make temporary return trips to Japan
  • Use Rakuten services

Who It Is Not Recommended For

  • Want to minimize monthly costs above all else
  • Only need to keep a number for SMS verification
  • Rarely make calls to Japan

Rakuten Mobile is"Japanese number retention + free calls + overseas use"suited for those who want a well-balanced combination of all three.

Table of Contents
  1. Why You Still Need a Japanese Number Even After Moving to Malaysia
  2. Why Rakuten Mobile Suits Families Relocating for Education
  3. Things to Watch Out for When Using Rakuten Mobile Overseas
  4. Rakuten Mobile vs. povo vs. ahamo Comparison
  5. Who Rakuten Mobile Is and Isn't a Good Fit For
  6. Pre-Departure Checklist
  7. Conclusion | Rakuten Mobile's Strength Is "Free Calls"
  8. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Chapter 1

Why You Still Need a Japanese NumberEven After Moving to Malaysia

Once you start living in Malaysia, the occasions to use a Japanese phone number drop significantly. Even so, there are still situations where a Japanese number becomes necessary. Here are some examples.

  • Logging in to a Japanese bank
  • Verifying your identity for a credit card
  • Using a brokerage account
  • Receiving SMS verification for various services
  • Using Japanese services during temporary return trips to Japan

SMS verification in particular is something many people find themselves struggling with after starting life overseas. It is recommended that you check which services use your Japanese number for SMS verification before cancelling it.

Chapter 2

Why Rakuten MobileSuits Families Relocating for Education

The appeal of Rakuten Mobile goes beyond simply retaining a Japanese number.

Make Free Calls to Japan with Rakuten Link

One of Rakuten Mobile's greatest strengths is the free calling app Rakuten Link. Rakuten Link is a dedicated app for Rakuten Mobile subscribers, and by making calls through this app, you can call Japanese phone numbers for free. During life overseas, you'll find yourself in situations like the following more often than you might expect.

  • Contacting family in Japan
  • Enquiring with your bank
  • Contacting your credit card company
  • Checking in with schools or government offices

povo and ahamo are primarily centred on "retaining a Japanese number" and "data communication," but Rakuten MobileEasy coverage even for "calls to Japan"is a major difference.

💡 The terms of use, eligible countries, and regions for Rakuten Link are subject to change. Please check the official website for the latest information.

Up to 2 GB available overseas every month

Rakuten Mobile allows you to use high-speed data communication of up to 2 GB per month in designated overseas regions. Malaysia is one of the eligible regions. It comes in handy in the following situations:

  • Calling a Grab ride right after arrival
  • Using Google Maps
  • Getting to school visits and tours
  • Using it as a stopgap until you get a local SIM

It is not suitable as a main line for long-term living, but it is convenient as a supplementary line right after arrival.

Works well with Rakuten services

If you use Rakuten Card, Rakuten Bank, Rakuten Securities, and similar services, the benefit of keeping your Japanese number becomes even greater.

Chapter 3

Things to note when usingRakuten Mobile overseas

Rakuten Mobile is convenient, but it is not suited as your main line for life in Malaysia. The reason is that the high-speed data communication available overseas is limited to 2 GB per month.

⚠️ Once you exceed 2 GB, speed restrictions will apply, making it insufficient for video streaming, tethering, or extended map use.

For that reason,using a local SIM for everyday communication and keeping Rakuten Mobile for your Japanese numberis the recommended approach.

About the cost of maintaining Rakuten Mobile

Rakuten Mobile's pricing changes based on your usage. Since the pricing structure may change, please check the official website for the latest information.

If your sole purpose is to maintain a Japanese phone number, povo may allow you to keep costs lower in some cases. On the other hand, Rakuten Mobile's strength is that it conveniently bundles Japanese number retention, overseas data use, and free calls to Japan all in one.

Chapter 4

Rakuten Mobile · povo · ahamoComparison

Feature Rakuten Mobile povo ahamo
Japanese number retention ◎Retention supported ◎ ◎
SMS authentication ◎Authentication supported ◎ ◎
Calls to Japan ◎Free via Rakuten Link △ ○
Overseas data use ○2 GB per month △ ◎
Ease of use upon arrival ○Convenient as a secondary line △ ◎
Scouting trips / short-term stays ○ △ ◎
Suited for long-term overseas living ◎Balances number retention + calls + overseas use ○ △
Monthly maintenance cost ○ ◎ △
Ease of management ○ △ ◎

※ Fees and terms are subject to change. Please check each carrier's official website for the latest information.

In a nutshell

  • Rakuten Mobile: Best for those who want a balanced approach — keeping a Japanese number, making free calls to Japan, and using data abroad.
  • povo: Best for those who want to keep a Japanese number at the lowest possible cost.
  • ahamo: Best for those going on scouting trips or short-term stays who want solid connectivity from the moment they arrive.
Chapter 5

Who Rakuten MobileIs and Isn't Right For

Who Rakuten Mobile is right for

  • Want to keep a Japanese phone number
  • May need to make calls to Japan
  • Want some data connectivity overseas as well
  • Use Rakuten Card, Rakuten Bank, or Rakuten Securities
  • Plan to return to Japan temporarily

Who Rakuten Mobile is not right for

  • Want to keep a Japanese number at the absolute lowest cost
  • Only need a number for SMS verification purposes
  • Rarely use overseas data
  • Rarely make calls to Japan

Rakuten Mobile is not the "cheapest" option. However, for households that want not only to keep a Japanese number but also to make free calls to Japan, it is a well-balanced choice.

Chapter 6

Before DepartureChecklist

Before departing for Malaysia, it is a good idea to confirm the following.

Things to check before departure

  • ✓Set up Rakuten Link
  • ✓Confirm that SMS verification codes are received
  • ✓Check the registered phone number for Rakuten services
Conclusion

Rakuten Mobile'sstrength is "free calls"

Rakuten Mobile's key advantage is that it combines Japanese number retention, free calls via Rakuten Link, and 2 GB of overseas data usage all in one plan. Especially for households that make calls from abroad to Japan, Rakuten Link provides significant peace of mind.

On the other hand, if your only goal is to keep a Japanese number, povo may be the more cost-effective option.

A practical way to split usage

✓For everyday connectivity:local SIM
✓For keeping a Japanese number and calling Japan:Rakuten Mobile

Editor's comment

Once you start living abroad, you'll find yourself calling Japan more often than you might expect — for inquiries to banks, credit card companies, and so on. In that sense, Rakuten Mobile, which lets you make free calls via Rakuten Link, feels like a reassuring choice.

FAQ

Frequently askedquestions

Can I use Rakuten Mobile in Malaysia?
Yes, you can. In areas covered by international roaming, you can use high-speed data up to 2 GB per month. Please note that rates and terms are subject to change, so check the official website for the latest information.
What is Rakuten Link?
It is a free calling app for Rakuten Mobile subscribers. By making calls through this app, you can call Japanese phone numbers for free. Please note that terms of use are subject to change, so check the official website for the latest information.
Can I get by in Malaysia with just Rakuten Mobile's 2 GB overseas data?
We do not recommend it. While it is convenient right after arrival or in emergencies, 2 GB is almost always insufficient for long-term life in Malaysia. We recommend using a local SIM for everyday connectivity and keeping Rakuten Mobile for Japanese number retention or as a secondary line.
Related articles

Mobile plans before relocating abroad

Comparing all three — Rakuten Mobile, povo, and ahamo — makes it easy to categorise them as: "Rakuten Mobile for free calls and overseas use," "povo for number retention," and "ahamo for scouting trips and short-term stays."

povo
Should You Keep Your Japanese Number for Education Relocation to Malaysia? Low-Cost Retention with povo
→
ahamo
Is ahamo Useful for Education Relocation to Malaysia? Great for Scouting Trips and Short-Term Stays
→
Summary
Should You Keep Your Japanese Number? An In-Depth Comparison of 3 Carriers
→
🔗 Related

Also worth checking

※ Rates and terms are subject to change. Please check the latest information on each official website before making any decisions.