Overview of Landline Nuisance Call Protection Services
Nuisance calls to landlines - from phone scams targeting the elderly to aggressive telemarketing - are a serious social problem in Japan. According to a Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications survey, about 60% of landline users reported receiving nuisance calls within the past year. However, by properly configuring the protection services offered by telecom carriers, you can prevent the vast majority of unwanted calls. This article provides a detailed guide to the main nuisance call protection services offered by NTT East/West, KDDI, and SoftBank. Be sure to also check our guide on how to block nuisance calls.
Nuisance call protection services fall into three broad categories. First, "Caller ID Display" services that show the caller's number. Second, "Number Request" services that reject anonymous calls. Third, "Nuisance Call Rejection" services that block specific numbers. Combining these creates a multi-layered defense system.
Setting Up and Using Caller ID Display
NTT East/West Caller ID Display
NTT's Caller ID Display (Number Display) shows the caller's phone number on your handset's screen when you receive a call. The monthly fee is 440 yen (tax included) for residential lines. You can apply through NTT's official website, by phone (dial 116), or at an NTT office. The installation fee is 2,200 yen (tax included), though it may be waived during promotional periods.
To use Caller ID Display, you need a compatible phone. Most phones sold after 2000 are compatible, and once NTT completes the setup on their end, numbers will appear automatically. Some models may require you to enable "Caller ID Display" in the phone's settings menu - check your user manual. See also our detailed Caller ID Display guide.
KDDI (au Hikari) Caller Number Display
KDDI's au Hikari phone service offers caller number display for 440 yen/month (tax included). Subscribing to the Phone Option Pack (550 yen/month) bundles multiple options including caller display at a lower combined cost. Apply through My au or the KDDI Customer Center (0077-7-111).
SoftBank (Ouchi no Denwa) Number Display
SoftBank's "Ouchi no Denwa" offers number display for 440 yen/month (tax included). Apply at a SoftBank shop or through customer support (0800-111-2009). Since Ouchi no Denwa uses LTE rather than traditional analog lines, setup procedures may differ slightly.
Blocking Anonymous Calls with Number Request
NTT's Number Request
Number Request plays an automated message to anonymous callers saying "Please redial with your number displayed," and automatically rejects the call. The monthly fee is 220 yen (tax included) for residential lines. It requires a Caller ID Display subscription to work.
Setup is simple: dial "148" from your phone and press "1" following the voice guidance to activate. To deactivate, dial "148" and press "0." If you receive many anonymous nuisance calls, this should be your first line of defense. Also see our guide on dealing with calls from unknown numbers.
KDDI's Number Request
KDDI's au Hikari phone offers an equivalent service for 220 yen/month (tax included), playing a guidance message prompting anonymous callers to redial with their number displayed. It is included in the Phone Option Pack at no additional cost.
SoftBank's Anonymous Call Rejection
SoftBank's "Ouchi no Denwa" offers anonymous call rejection for 220 yen/month (tax included). Like NTT's service, it can be activated and deactivated from the phone handset.
Setting Up Nuisance Call Rejection
NTT's Nuisance Call Rejection Service
NTT's Nuisance Call Rejection Service lets you block a specific number by dialing "144" immediately after receiving an unwanted call. Callers from registered numbers hear "This call cannot be accepted." The monthly fee is 660 yen (tax included) for residential lines, with a maximum of 30 registered numbers.
To register: after receiving a nuisance call, hang up and dial "144." Press "2" following the guidance, and the last incoming number is automatically registered. To review registered numbers, dial "144" then "4"; to delete, dial "144" then "3." Combined with nuisance call prevention devices, you can build an even stronger defense.
KDDI's Nuisance Call Blocking Service
KDDI's au Hikari phone offers a nuisance call blocking service that integrates with Tobila Phone's spam call database, automatically blocking approximately 30,000 known nuisance numbers. At 330 yen/month (tax included), the key advantage over NTT's service is that no manual number registration is required. See also how to use spam call databases.
SoftBank's Nuisance Call Protection
SoftBank's "Ouchi no Denwa" offers a call blocking service for 220 yen/month (tax included), allowing up to 20 numbers to be registered and automatically rejected.
Comparing the Three Carriers
While the core features are similar across carriers, pricing structures and additional features differ.
- NTT East/West - Caller ID Display 440 yen + Number Request 220 yen + Nuisance Call Rejection 660 yen = total 1,320 yen/month. Individual subscriptions allow flexible selection
- KDDI (au Hikari) - Phone Option Pack at 550 yen/month bundles key services. Strong spam database integration is a standout feature
- SoftBank (Ouchi no Denwa) - Individual service subscriptions. LTE-based, so call quality is less affected by weather
KDDI's option pack offers the best value, but if you already have an NTT line, factor in the effort and cost of switching carriers. If you're considering migrating to Hikari Denwa, include nuisance call protection services in your comparison.
Building a Multi-Layered Defense
The most effective nuisance call strategy combines multiple services in layers. Here is the recommended setup:
- Layer 1: Caller ID Display - Check the caller's number and decide whether to answer unknown numbers
- Layer 2: Number Request - Automatically reject anonymous calls, eliminating callers who hide their numbers
- Layer 3: Nuisance Call Rejection - Block specific nuisance call numbers you have already received
- Layer 4: Anti-scam phone features - Automatic warning messages and call recording to deter scammers
With these four layers in place, you can block the vast majority of nuisance calls. See also how to protect the elderly from phone scams and strengthen your defenses with both hardware and services. Panasonic anti-scam phones are especially effective as Layer 4.
Summary
Landline nuisance call protection can be dramatically improved simply by configuring the services your carrier provides. Use Caller ID Display to identify callers, Number Request to reject anonymous calls, and Nuisance Call Rejection to block known nuisance numbers. Build on this three-step foundation with an anti-scam phone, and you can significantly enhance the safety of your landline. Each service can be set up with a single phone call, so if you haven't configured them yet, start today.