IoT connectivity in Japan
Updated
In Japan, permanent roaming of foreign IoT SIMs is allowed with conditions. Of the 3 mobile operators we track there, 3 have switched off 2G and 3 3G, as of 26 October 2026. Sources are listed below each table.
Permanent roaming
Allowed with conditions. Regulatory analysts report that Japan permits roaming-based IoT models under certain conditions, with no local licence needed unless the provider contracts directly with local end users or runs its own infrastructure.
Sources: cullen-international.com, cullen-international.com, thingsdata.com. Confidence: medium.
2G and 3G shutdowns by operator
| Operator | Network | Status | Date | Sources |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| KDDI (au) | 2G | Switched off | 22 July 2012 | kddi.com, tele.net.in au's legacy CDMA (cdmaOne-era) network: KDDI ended 'CDMA 1X' services and non-IC-card devices on 22 Jul 2012 with the 800 MHz band reorganisation; the release does not name cdmaOne. Tele.net says Japan's full 2G shutdown completed Sept 2012. |
| KDDI (au) | 3G | Switched off | March 2022 | news.kddi.com, english.adnkronos.com CDMA2000 'CDMA 1X WIN' service ended end of March 2022 (KDDI 2018 release; exact day was to be announced separately). Jiji/Adnkronos (Mar 2026) confirms KDDI had already terminated 3G. |
| NTT Docomo | 2G | Switched off | 31 March 2012 | docomo.ne.jp, tele.net.in PDC network (mova and DoPa services) ended 31 Mar 2012 per Docomo's 2009 notice. Tele.net says Japan completed a full 2G shutdown in Sept 2012 (country-level date, not Docomo-specific). |
| NTT Docomo | 3G | Switched off | 31 March 2026 | docomo.ne.jp, itmedia.co.jp FOMA (W-CDMA) and i-mode ended 31 Mar 2026, as announced in 2019. ITmedia (2 Apr 2026) reports some 4G devices lost voice/data from 1 Apr, linked by Docomo to the FOMA end. Last 3G network in Japan. |
| SoftBank | 2G | Switched off | 31 March 2010 | softbank.jp, tele.net.in PDC 2G service discontinued at 2:00 am on 31 Mar 2010 (SoftBank Mobile release). Tele.net confirms Japan's 2G networks were all shut by 2012. |
| SoftBank | 3G | Switched off | 15 April 2024 | softbank.jp, english.adnkronos.com 3G discontinued 15 Apr 2024; exception: Ishikawa Prefecture kept 3G until 31 Jul 2024 because of the Noto Peninsula earthquake. |
What it means for IoT devices in Japan
- Do not deploy 2G-only devices: every operator with a known status has switched 2G off.
- 3G is already gone on 3 networks: devices that fall back to 3G will lose service there.
- Private delivery works the same from Japan: device data reaches your cloud over private links. See private delivery.
Other countries in Asia-Pacific
Full tables: permanent roaming rules by country and 2G and 3G shutdown dates.
Frequently asked questions
Is permanent roaming allowed for IoT SIMs in Japan?
Regulatory analysts report that Japan permits roaming-based IoT models under certain conditions, with no local licence needed unless the provider contracts directly with local end users or runs its own infrastructure.
When is 2G switched off in Japan?
Status by operator, as of 26 October 2026. KDDI (au): switched off (2012-07-22); NTT Docomo: switched off (2012-03-31); SoftBank: switched off (2010-03-31).
When is 3G switched off in Japan?
Status by operator, as of 26 October 2026. KDDI (au): switched off (2022-03); NTT Docomo: switched off (2026-03-31); SoftBank: switched off (2024-04-15).