What`s up withe the cellphones in Japan?
Nov 2nd, 2004, 02:38 AM
#1
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What`s up withe the cellphones in Japan?
Hello all
I`ve noticed that almost everyone in Tokyo (some people in kyoto too) is doing something with their cellphone at all times, I have seen it at the subway, bus, restaurant, EVERYWHERE!!! what is it that they do???? it`s driving me crazy...
thanks!
Dave
I`ve noticed that almost everyone in Tokyo (some people in kyoto too) is doing something with their cellphone at all times, I have seen it at the subway, bus, restaurant, EVERYWHERE!!! what is it that they do???? it`s driving me crazy...
thanks!
Dave
Nov 2nd, 2004, 03:55 AM
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FamousDave - Several reasons:
- Japanese love gadgets
- Many people have small living space and don't have a home computer, so they do stuff on their phone.
- Many people spend a lot of time commuting, mostly on trains. Why waste that time?
Alejandra - That's correct. They don't use GSM in Japan.
- Japanese love gadgets
- Many people have small living space and don't have a home computer, so they do stuff on their phone.
- Many people spend a lot of time commuting, mostly on trains. Why waste that time?
Alejandra - That's correct. They don't use GSM in Japan.
Nov 2nd, 2004, 04:02 AM
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People use their cell phones for e-mail and internet connections, cameras and videos, and games...all in addition to talking. There is also a calendar function in most, and even spending record keeping function. I use my phone most for mail and internet weather check and news reading. My daughter sometimes uses it to play games if we have a long wait somewhere.
Japan's cell phone system is different than the rest of the world's. My Japanese cell phone is global standard and I can use it almost anywhere. Your Dutch one...you'd have to check with your company to see if your device is compatible with Japanese standard.
Japan's cell phone system is different than the rest of the world's. My Japanese cell phone is global standard and I can use it almost anywhere. Your Dutch one...you'd have to check with your company to see if your device is compatible with Japanese standard.
Nov 3rd, 2004, 08:42 AM
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About texting in Japan.
You can't normally send SMS on a sort of phone you can rent or buy (pre-paid) as a visitor. Texting is only possible within compatible phones within the country. If you bring over a 3G phone with roaming agreement in Japan, you can. You can however send e-mail from most mobiles, and this can be received on handsets abroad if they support it. You can of course send SMS from free texting sites on the net, as you can at home. Internet cafes and free access are quite common, esp in larger cities.
You can't normally send SMS on a sort of phone you can rent or buy (pre-paid) as a visitor. Texting is only possible within compatible phones within the country. If you bring over a 3G phone with roaming agreement in Japan, you can. You can however send e-mail from most mobiles, and this can be received on handsets abroad if they support it. You can of course send SMS from free texting sites on the net, as you can at home. Internet cafes and free access are quite common, esp in larger cities.
Nov 29th, 2004, 01:29 PM
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Just returned from Tokyo and had the same curiosity about what the passengers on the train were doing with their phones( they do NOT talk on them on the trains) One bus we were on asked us to turn off the phones so they would not disturb "the neighbors".
There was a gentleman next to me who pitched nine innings on one train.(I'm not sure if his team won)
My husband and I rented phones so we could contact each other with plans to meet etc. since he was working and I was playing. The bill has not come yet.
There was a gentleman next to me who pitched nine innings on one train.(I'm not sure if his team won)
My husband and I rented phones so we could contact each other with plans to meet etc. since he was working and I was playing. The bill has not come yet.
Nov 30th, 2004, 06:45 PM
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They are indeed, emailing friends and their mothers ~
My son lives in Tokyo and takes the time on the train or waiting for a train, to email us. He also uses his phone to contact his friends with plans being made or for work.
It is considered rude to talk on the mobile on the train, so the text messaging comes in handy.
There was a name for it, in an article in the New York Times not long ago, about the thumbs dancing ..
My son lives in Tokyo and takes the time on the train or waiting for a train, to email us. He also uses his phone to contact his friends with plans being made or for work.
It is considered rude to talk on the mobile on the train, so the text messaging comes in handy.
There was a name for it, in an article in the New York Times not long ago, about the thumbs dancing ..
Dec 19th, 2004, 06:18 AM
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The 3G cellphone system and culture in Japan is quite advanced and other than your usuals, Japaneses also book tickets, check schedules, surf webs etc with their phones. In addition, their cellphone games are amongst the most sophisticated, not surprising given this is the land of Nintendo and Playstation.
Dec 23rd, 2004, 11:47 PM
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It's very likely that I will be going to Tokyo on work assignment for about 2 months from mid February. As my present hand phone can't be used in Tokyo should I be buying a 3G handset with prepaid card there? 3G is being launched in Singapore where I live so does that I mean that I can use it here as well? What other alternatives do I have?
Dec 24th, 2004, 05:02 AM
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There is no pay-as-you-go 3G phone/usim card in Japan (yet). All payg phones are 2G CDMA peculiar to Japan. You could get a Singaporean 3G phone and roam in Japan (if there's an agreement), but it will cost you a lot in call charges (about double the rates quoted below). I think the best way is to simply buy a payg 2G set in Japan (Vodafone Enjorno costs only 4,000 yen and is widely available in convenience stores) and just buy top-up cards at 3k and 5k yen. Inland call rate is 60 yen/min and Singapore from 72 to 130 yen. Nothing to receive. Take your passport with you when buying your phone.
