Caller ID Display Basics
Caller ID Display (Number Display) is a service that shows the caller's phone number on your handset's screen when you receive a call on your landline. NTT East/West launched the service in 1997, and it has since become the most fundamental tool for combating nuisance calls and phone scams on landlines. Being able to check the caller's number before answering lets you decide whether to pick up, dramatically reducing your risk. As the first step in landline nuisance call protection, consider subscribing to Caller ID Display.
The technology works by embedding the caller's number information into the incoming call signal. When a call is placed, the telephone exchange sends the caller's number to the receiving line, and a compatible phone displays it on screen. This technology, known as "Caller ID," is used worldwide, with Japan employing NTT's proprietary standard. A Caller ID compatible phone makes checking incoming numbers even more convenient.
Subscribing and Setting Up
Applying with NTT East/West
You can apply for Caller ID Display through the following methods:
- Phone - Call 116 (NTT general reception). Hours: 9:00-17:00
- Web - Apply through the NTT East/West official website. Available 24 hours
- In person - Visit an NTT office
The monthly fee is 440 yen (tax included) for residential lines and 1,320 yen (tax included) for business lines. The initial installation fee is 2,200 yen (tax included), performed remotely with no on-site visit required. Service typically begins within 1-3 business days of application.
Checking Phone Compatibility
You need a Caller ID compatible phone. Most phones sold after 2000 are compatible, but older models may not be. Check your phone's manual for "Caller ID Display compatible" or similar wording. If your phone is not compatible, consider upgrading to an anti-scam phone for seniors.
Phone-Side Settings
Once NTT completes the activation, compatible phones will automatically display caller numbers. However, some models require you to manually enable "Caller ID Display" in the settings menu. The typical path is: Settings, Line Settings, Caller ID Display, ON.
Reading the Displayed Numbers
Standard Number Display
When the caller has their number displayed, it appears as-is. You can infer the caller's location and type from the number:
- 03-XXXX-XXXX - Call from Tokyo's 23 wards
- 06-XXXX-XXXX - Call from Osaka City
- 090/080/070-XXXX-XXXX - Call from a mobile phone
- 050-XXXX-XXXX - Call from an IP phone
- 0120-XXX-XXX - Call from a toll-free number
Understanding how phone numbers work helps you extract more information from displayed numbers. You can also identify the caller's region using area code lookup.
Special Displays
When no number is available, your phone shows one of these indicators:
- "Withheld" / "Anonymous" - The caller has set their number to anonymous. High probability of a nuisance call
- "Pay Phone" - Call from a public phone. Could be an urgent contact, so judge by context
- "Out of Area" - Call from overseas or from a line that does not support caller ID. Possible international scam call
Anonymous calls have a high probability of being nuisance calls, so we generally recommend not answering. However, some hospitals and public institutions call with withheld numbers, so check your voicemail if you are expecting such a call.
Combining with Number Request
Automatically Rejecting Anonymous Calls
By combining Caller ID Display with Number Request, you can automatically reject anonymous calls. Number Request is an add-on service at 220 yen/month (tax included) that plays a message to anonymous callers: "Please redial with your number displayed," and rejects the call.
To activate, dial "148" from your phone and press "1." To deactivate, dial "148" and press "0." This combination effectively blocks nuisance callers who hide their numbers. Since many scam groups call anonymously, numerous users report a dramatic reduction in nuisance calls after enabling Number Request alone.
Recommended Configuration
In addition to Caller ID Display and Number Request, we recommend the following settings:
- Register contacts - Add family, your doctor, and frequently called businesses to your phone's directory. Registered numbers display the contact name, making identification instant
- Use the call blocking list - Register nuisance numbers to your block list using your phone's built-in feature or NTT's Nuisance Call Rejection service
- Use voicemail - Route unknown numbers to voicemail and decide whether to call back after listening to the message
Combined with nuisance call prevention products, you can build an even more robust defense.
Advanced Techniques for Nuisance Call Prevention
Using Number Lookup Services
When an unknown number appears on your Caller ID Display, you can look it up using our phone number search feature. Identify the region from the area code - such as 03 numbers or 06 numbers - and check user reports to determine if it is a nuisance caller. Making it a habit to search numbers before calling back dramatically improves your ability to handle unwanted calls.
Analyzing Call Patterns
Regularly reviewing your Caller ID Display call history helps you identify nuisance call patterns. If the same number calls repeatedly, add it to your block list. If calls cluster at specific times (e.g., weekday afternoons), they are likely telemarketing calls. See also how to decline telemarketing calls.
Beware of Caller ID Spoofing
Numbers shown on Caller ID Display are not always accurate. Caller ID spoofing technology can display a different number than the actual source. Even if a government agency or major company's number appears, do not trust it blindly - hang up and call back using the official number, especially for calls involving money. See caller ID spoofing risks and how to spot them for details.
Caller ID Display on Hikari Denwa
Caller ID Display is also available on Hikari Denwa (NTT's Flets Hikari phone). The monthly fee is the same 440 yen (tax included), but subscribing to the Hikari Denwa Option Pack (Ace) bundles six options including Caller ID Display for 1,650 yen/month (tax included), which is cheaper than subscribing individually. If you are considering migrating to Hikari Denwa, factor in the option pack pricing.
Common Issues and Solutions
Numbers Not Displaying
- Check phone compatibility - Older models may not support Caller ID Display
- Check phone settings - Ensure Caller ID Display is not set to OFF
- Confirm activation with NTT - Call 116 to verify the service is properly activated
- Check connections - Ensure the modular cable is securely connected
Number Displays but Name Does Not
Caller ID Display only shows numbers. To display the caller's name, you need to register numbers and names in your phone's directory. NTT's "Name Display" add-on (110 yen/month) can show the registered subscriber name from NTT's database even for numbers not in your directory.
Summary
Caller ID Display is the foundational service for landline nuisance call prevention, available for just 440 yen/month. Simply being able to check the caller's number before answering and choosing not to pick up unknown calls dramatically reduces your risk. Combine it with Number Request to auto-reject anonymous calls, and develop the habit of looking up suspicious numbers - and you will have a safe, worry-free landline experience. If you have not subscribed yet, just call NTT at 116 to get started today.