Public phones are shared telephone units installed in stations, hospitals, commercial facilities, and other public spaces. They accept 10-yen coins, 100-yen coins, and telephone cards. A local call costs 10 yen for approximately 57 seconds. The iconic green booth is most common, with gray digital models also available.
The number of public phones has plummeted with mobile phone adoption. From a peak of approximately 930,000 units nationwide in 1984, only about 130,000 remained as of 2023. NTT East and West are obligated under universal service requirements to maintain at least one unit per 500m square in urban areas and one per 1km square elsewhere.
Public phones remain critical as disaster lifelines. During major disasters, mobile base stations may fail or traffic restrictions may be imposed, but public phones are classified as priority lines exempt from restrictions. During the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake, public phones served as vital communication tools when mobile networks were down. Emergency calls (110/119) can be made without coins during disasters.
Public phones are also being reconsidered for child safety. For elementary school children without smartphones, knowing the locations of public phones along school routes is recommended for emergencies. However, as generations unfamiliar with public phones grow, teaching children how to pick up the receiver and insert coins is necessary. See disaster public phone guide and child phone safety for more information.