Why Voicemail Matters
Voicemail lets you screen unknown calls safely. If the caller has a real reason to reach you, they'll leave a message. You can then decide whether to call back, avoiding direct contact with scam or nuisance callers.
Types of Voicemail
Carrier voicemail services (NTT Docomo, au, SoftBank - about 330 yen/month) work even when your phone is off. iPhone's Visual Voicemail shows messages in a list you can tap to play.
Setup
iPhone: Phone app > Voicemail tab > Set Up Now. Android: Phone app > Settings > Voicemail. Requires a carrier voicemail subscription.
Recording Your Greeting
Don't say your name - scammers can use it. Keep it short (10-15 seconds). Ask callers to leave a message after the tone.
Using Voicemail as Scam Protection
Let unknown calls go to voicemail. Scammers rarely leave messages. No message = probably not important. This eliminates the risk of directly engaging with fraud callers.