A premium rate number is a phone number with call charges set higher than standard rates. Known as Premium Rate Numbers in English, they are designed to collect fees for information or entertainment services by adding a surcharge to the call rate. In Japan, the 0990 (Dial Q2) service was once the prime example, but it was discontinued in 2014 after high charges for adult content and fortune-telling services became a social issue.
Today, the number that effectively functions as a premium rate number in Japan is 0570 (Navi-Dial). While Navi-Dial was designed as a "nationwide unified number service," it is excluded from mobile phone unlimited calling plans, making it relatively expensive for callers. Rates are approximately 8.5 yen per 3 minutes from landlines and 10 yen per 20 seconds from mobile phones, and long inquiries can cost several hundred yen. The use of 0570 numbers for corporate customer support has drawn criticism from consumers who object to paying call charges just to make an inquiry.
It is important to clearly distinguish premium rate numbers from toll-free numbers (0120/0800). With toll-free numbers, the company bears the call charges so the caller pays nothing, whereas with premium rate numbers, the caller pays. The distinction "0120 = free," "0570 = paid," and "0800 = free" is essential consumer knowledge. When contacting a company, even if only a 0570 number is published, a direct number starting with 03 or 06 may be listed on their website, and calling that number would be covered by unlimited calling plans.
International call fraud includes schemes that lure victims into calling back expensive overseas premium rate numbers. The golden rule is to never return calls to unfamiliar international numbers left in your call history by one-ring scams. See Free Dial vs. Navi-Dial for detailed rate structures and One-Ring Scam Dangers for fraud tactics.