0120 (Free Dial)
0120 is the toll-free (Free Dial) number range. The receiver pays for the call, and it is widely used for corporate customer support and inquiry desks.
Regional Characteristics
The 0120 prefix is NTT Communications' Free Dial service. The receiving party (the company) pays the call charge, so the caller dials for free. Since the service launched in 1985, it has been widely adopted for corporate customer support, order taking, and inquiry desks, and it is by far the most recognized toll-free prefix in Japan. Both large enterprises and SMEs use 0120, and "0120-XXX-XXX" numbers appear constantly in TV commercials and flyers. Demand for these numbers is high, and easy-to-remember numbers (those built on number-puns) are sometimes sold at premium prices.
Common Nuisance Call Patterns
Scammers spoof a major company's toll-free line and use pretexts like "contract confirmation" or "security update" to extract personal and credit-card details. Even when a call appears to be from a company, cross-check the number on the official site before responding.
Callers offer "a gift voucher for completing a quick survey" and use the questions to collect personal information. Be alert to data collection disguised as a survey.
Callers pitch subscriptions to supplements or cosmetics with "a free trial right now." In some cases the trial automatically rolls over into a paid subscription, so always check the terms in detail.
Consumer Affairs Center
Frequently Asked Questions
Are 0120 calls free?
Yes - 0120 is a Free Dial prefix and the caller pays nothing. The receiving company picks up the charge. Note that some 0120 numbers do not accept calls from mobile phones.
Are 0120 calls safe?
0120 numbers are issued to legitimate companies, but they can still be used for scams or aggressive sales. For an unknown 0120 call, look up the source on Denwa before responding.
What if a 0120 number doesn't accept calls from mobile phones?
Some 0120 numbers accept calls only from landlines. In that case, the company's official website usually lists an alternative mobile-friendly number (a Navi Dial or a regular line).
What is the difference between 0120 and 0800?
Both are toll-free for the caller, but 0120 is NTT Communications' Free Dial service, while 0800 is the Free Call service offered by various carriers. As 0120 numbers run out, 0800 has been seeing more use.