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Guide for Sending SMS Messages to Japan
Review the guidelines and restrictions for sending SMS messages to recipients in Japan. This information is for general informational purposes only. This information doesn't, and isn't intended to, constitute legal advice. Consult your own independent legal counsel for guidance on use cases and applicable legal and industry requirements.
| Short Code | International Long Code | Local Long Code | Alphanumeric Code | |
| Supported | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
| Two-way Support | Yes | No | -- | No |
| Provisioning Time | 5 weeks | 1 week | -- | 1 week |
| Comments | Requires preregistration | -- | -- | -- |
SMS Code Provisioning Guidelines
Use a custom alphanumeric code with an international long code set up for one-way sending. Alphanumeric codes must be associated with the brand, enterprise, product, or service. These codes can include only alphanumeric GSM characters or spaces.
Japan also supports two-way communication with short codes. These codes can send messages that contain a maximum of 70 characters.
Restricted Content
You’re responsible for complying with local rules and regulations. To ensure compliance, familiarize yourself with the legislation of the local market. Failure to comply can result in service suspension, cancellation, and potential fines. Japan generally forbids content related, but not limited to, gambling products and services.
Best Practices and Compliance References
Telecommunications in Japan are regulated by Telecommunications Carriers Association (TCA). Use separate alphanumerical codes for marketing and transactional sends.
