Hi everbody.  Curious about cellphone carriers in Japan.  My family and I will be PCSing to Sasebo, and I am wondering what, if anybody has heard, is the talk about the cellphone carriers as far as good/bad reputation.  Also, I've got an iPhone and wondering if I can go with any carrier over there or not?  Thanks!

Is your phone unlocked? The only carrier in Japan that sells iPhone is Softbank, and they have retail outlets on many/most military bases in Japan. They also have regular promotions on iPhones and/or the data plan, usually with a 2-year contract. With the promotions, you will generally find it cheaper in Japan than in the US.

Softbanks calling plan makes it free to call other Softbank phones, therefore most military families use Softbank. You may find other carriers with "cheaper" plans (Au, DoCoMo), but you will be charged for every call to your friends, so in the end Softbank comes out cheaper.

It would be great if you can buy their SIM card & pop it in your iPhone; not sure if they'll do this for you.

I have softbank, but I had AU years ago. They had a plan where you could get free calls to up to 5 numbers on any network, cellular or landline. I don't know if they still have that or not. I've also seen them advertising a plan with call all AU numbers free.

Each company seems to have many of the same types of plans that the US companies have. You will just have to watch for their advertising.

I've only had AU and Softbank. Here's a link to their english websites.
http://tm.softbank.jp/english/
http://www.au.kddi.com/english/index.html

The local kiosk here in Sasebo did pop in a sim card on my unlocked G1 when I got here, though they grumbled a bit about doing so. I doubt that they will not have a problem with your iphone.

In fact, I've had better experiences going into town and dealing with the Softbank dealers there than with the local kiosk. And that's in spite of the language barrier.

I have AU and I have had a few issues. They keep turning my husband's phone off for nonpayment. I always have to take in the receipt to show it was paid to get it turned back on. It has happened a few times. I have heard other Americans in there complaining about the same thing, so I know I am not completely alone. If I had it to do over again I would have went with a different company.