History and Evolution of Mobile Phone Numbers
Japan's mobile phone numbers have been expanded in stages as the number of users grew. Following the 1999 transition to 11 digits, three number bands are now in use: 090, 080, and 070. Understanding the differences and history of these bands clears up common questions about mobile phone numbers.
When mobile phones first became popular in Japan in the early 1990s, numbers were 10 digits. However, the rapid growth in subscribers led to a shortage, and on January 1, 1999, the transition to 11 digits was implemented.
Characteristics and Allocation Timeline of Each Band
090 Numbers - The Oldest Band
Of the three bands, 090 is the one that has been used for mobile phones the longest. It is common among long-time mobile phone users, and the image of "090 numbers belong to veteran users" is well established. However, with the spread of MNP (Number Portability), new subscribers with 090 numbers also exist.
The 090 band contains approximately 90 million numbers, allocated to the three major carriers (NTT Docomo, KDDI/au, SoftBank) as well as MVNO (budget SIM) operators. Every block of 090 numbers that the MIC can assign to carriers had been assigned as of 2026. An assignment is a range handed to a carrier rather than a number in a customer's hands, but it does mean there is no room left to add new blocks to the 090 band.
080 Numbers - Added in 2002
The 080 band was added for mobile phones in 2002. There is absolutely no functional difference from 090 - call quality and services are identical. This band is common among users who signed up for mobile phones in the 2000s.
The 080 band also holds approximately 90 million numbers, and as with 090, every block had been assigned to carriers as of 2026.
070 Numbers - From PHS to Mobile Phones
The 070 band was originally reserved exclusively for PHS (Personal Handy-phone System). PHS launched in 1995 and was known for affordable call rates and high voice quality, but usage declined as mobile phones became more capable. In November 2013, the 070 band was opened to mobile phones as well, and it has been used for mobile numbers since then.
Y!mobile (formerly Willcom) ended consumer PHS service at the end of January 2021, and PHS ended completely at the end of March 2023 including the corporate telemetering service, making the 070 band exclusively for mobile phones. Some users still carry over their PHS-era 070 numbers to mobile phones.
Are There Differences Between the Bands?
There are no differences in call quality, data speed, or available services between the bands. You can use the same mobile phone services regardless of which band your number belongs to. Some claim that "090 numbers are more trustworthy" or "070 numbers get more spam calls," but there is no technical basis for these beliefs.
Since the introduction of MNP, it is no longer possible to identify the carrier from the first three digits. A 090 number might be on a budget SIM, and an 080 number might be on a major carrier contract. The bands simply reflect when the number was allocated.
Debunking Common Myths
- "090 numbers are trustworthy": No basis. A number band says nothing about the caller, and nuisance calls from 090 numbers are reported on this site too
- "070 numbers are suspicious": No basis. 070 numbers are legitimate mobile numbers, allocated to mobile phones since November 2013
- "080 numbers are mostly budget SIMs": A number band does not map to a type of contract. The 080 band is assigned to major carriers and MVNOs alike, so the leading digits tell you nothing about the plan behind the number
- "You can tell the carrier from the first digits": Not possible since MNP was introduced. The first three digits do not correspond to the carrier a number is actually contracted with
Pressure on Number Resources and the Addition of the 060 Band
As of 2026, every block in the 090 and 080 bands has been assigned to carriers, and more than 90% of the blocks in the 070 band have been assigned as well - about 265 million numbers across the three bands. In December 2024 the MIC amended the telecommunications numbering plan and added 060 as a fourth mobile number band (not yet in service as of August 2026).
On a device that supports eSIM, a single handset can hold several numbers, so how fast the supply is used up does not follow from the number of handsets alone. Putting canceled numbers through a waiting period before reassigning them is another way the same numbers get reused.
Adding the 060 Band and Its Launch Timing
On December 20, 2024, the MIC amended the telecommunications numbering plan and decided to allocate the 060 band to mobile phones. The band covers 11-digit numbers beginning 060-1 through 060-9 and holds approximately 90 million numbers. The launch was originally planned to start progressively from July 2026, but the mobile carriers announced a postponement in July 2026, and as of August 2026 the band was not yet in service (no new start date has been set).
Separating IoT Numbers
Numbers beginning with 020 are set aside for data transmission, which is what IoT devices and machine-to-machine links use. They are managed separately from mobile phone numbers, so a growing fleet of IoT devices does not eat directly into the mobile number supply. The numbering plan specifies a 14-digit format for them - 0200 plus 10 more - which allows for roughly 10 billion of them (numbers issued in the older 11-digit format are being migrated), and the rules define them as numbers that do not carry voice calls.
Mobile Phone Number Trivia
- Total numbers: The 090, 080, and 070 bands hold approximately 270 million numbers in total
- Numbers assigned: About 265 million numbers have been assigned to carriers, roughly 98% of what the three bands hold (as of 2026)
- Assignments are not contracts: Mobile phone contracts totaled approximately 233 million at the end of March 2026; numbers assigned to carriers do not translate directly into contracts
- PHS end: Consumer service ended in January 2021 and PHS ended completely in March 2023, making 070 exclusively for mobile phones
- MVNO numbers: Budget SIM operators receive wholesale number allocations from major carriers and can assign numbers from any of the 090, 080, or 070 bands
- Number dormancy period: Canceled numbers are not reused right away; they go through a dormancy period before being reallocated
Common Questions About Numbers
Can You Choose Your Number?
Some carriers offer a service where you can select from several candidate numbers when signing a new contract. However, specifying a particular number (such as one with a catchy pattern) is generally not possible. Some carriers offer an optional service, applied for separately, that lets you choose the last 4 digits.
Can Personal Information Be Found from a Number?
It is not possible to identify a person's name or address from a phone number alone through ordinary means. Carriers strictly manage subscriber information and will not disclose it to third parties without legal procedures (such as a court warrant). However, if a phone number is registered with social media or web services, there is a possibility of being identified through reverse lookups.