- You want to keep a Japanese phone number at minimal cost
- You need a secondary line or backup SIM
- Your data usage varies month to month
- You want au network quality without high costs
🔥 Sign up for povo via point sites – new users can get up to
That’s enough to maintain your line for over 20 years! (Annual cost only ¥500)
Yes — foreigners can get povo 2.0. There are two routes: residents can take the Voice + Data plan (a real Japanese number) with a residence card, eKYC, and a Japanese credit card or Paidy; tourists (no residence card) can only use the Data-Only eSIM, which needs no ID but a separate number for the SMS code.
⚠️ The ¥0 base is real, but you must buy a paid topping at least every 180 days or the line is suspended. Sign-up is online and Japanese-first, though povo has English chat support. See the foreigners section below.
🎯 What is povo 2.0?
povo 2.0 is a revolutionary mobile plan launched by KDDI (au’s parent company) in September 2021. It breaks the traditional “monthly fee + package” model with a new “¥0 base fee + flexible toppings” approach.
povo 2.0 = ¥0 base + au high-quality network + pay-as-you-go data
Like in-game purchases – buy data only when you need it!
📊 povo 2.0 Basic Info
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Operator | KDDI Digital Life (au group) |
| Network | au 4G LTE / 5G (99.9% population coverage) |
| Base Monthly Fee | ¥0 |
| Initial Fee | Contract fee Free |
| Cancellation Fee | Penalty Free |
| SIM Type | Physical SIM / eSIM supported |
| Tethering | Free |
💰 Maintenance Cost Details – Only ¥500/year!
📋 povo 2.0 Maintenance Requirements (meet any ONE)
Within every 180 days, you must meet one of these conditions or face automatic cancellation:
💡 Cost Calculation
With ¥5,600 signup bonus: 5,600 ÷ 500 = 11.2 years. Using Lawson partnership, you can maintain your line for 20+ years effectively free!
- App Registrations – Many services require phone verification, like TikTok Lite signup for ¥3000
- Lotteries & Tickets – Multiple numbers increase winning chances for concerts and events
- Backup Contact – Emergency backup when your main line has issues
- Dual SIM Setup – Separate work and personal numbers
⭐ For foreigners in Japan: which povo plan can you get?
Two routes — pick by your residency status
Voice + Data (Japanese phone number): for residents. You complete eKYC identity verification with a residence card or My Number card, and you can even port your existing number (MNP). Data-Only (eSIM): needs no ID, so it suits tourists and short-stayers — but you must supply a separate phone number to receive the SMS verification code at sign-up, and an initial topping is required.
The three things povo checks
For a contract that needs ID, povo officially requires three items: identification, a credit card, and a compatible device. The eKYC is done in the app (if you apply after 9pm it is processed from 9am the next morning). Tourists on a Temporary Visitor status have no residence card, so they cannot take the voice plan — use the data-only tourist eSIM instead.
No Japanese credit card? Use Paidy
Payment is by credit card or Paidy (Atobarai). If you do not have a Japanese card yet, Paidy lets you pay later by convenience store, bank transfer or direct debit (by the 27th of the next month) with no card registration. The payment method must be in your own name.
If you buy no paid topping for 180 days, the line is suspended; another 30 days with none and the contract is cancelled. To hold the number at minimum cost, buy a small topping (e.g. 1GB / ¥390) inside every 180-day window. The app is Japanese-first, but English chat support is available if you get stuck.
Many foreigners route the povo sign-up cashback through a point site — earn the bonus on top of the ¥0 plan:
🎁 Best Signup Method【Data as of Jan 3, 2026】
Haven’t registered on point sites yet? Big opportunity – new user bonuses are huge!
Note: Cashback amounts as of January 3, 2026. Subject to change.
📝 Signup Steps
Register on a Point Site
Use links above. Prioritize sites you haven’t registered on!
Search for “povo” and click through
Hapitas requires code “POVO25”, Moppy requires “MOPPY25”
Note:Codes as of January 2026. May change – verify on each site
Complete signup + Buy topping within 3 days
After eSIM activation, purchase any topping within 3 days to qualify!
✨ Why We Recommend povo 2.0
- True ¥0 base fee
Don’t use it, don’t pay – the only real “free phone” - au network quality, stable high-speed
Average 80-100Mbps, 5G supported - No contract lock-in, cancel anytime
No 2-year commitment, zero penalties - Flexible toppings
From 1GB to 360GB, 24-hour unlimited options - eSIM supported, activate in 3 minutes
Data-only plan needs no ID verification - Free tethering
Use as mobile WiFi hotspot
💰 Topping Price List【January 2026】
| Topping | Price | Validity | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unlimited Data (6 hours) | ¥250 | 6 hours | Cheapest |
| Unlimited Data (24 hours) | ¥330 | 24 hours | Day trips |
| 3GB Data | ¥990 | 30 days | Popular |
| 5GB Data | ¥1,380 | 30 days | NEW |
| 60GB Data | ¥6,490 | 90 days | ~¥2,163/mo |
| 150GB Data | ¥12,980 | 180 days | ~¥2,163/mo |
| 360GB Data | ¥26,400 | 365 days | Best yearly |
| Lawson Partnership | ¥500 | — | Get ¥500 voucher Free |
🆚 Comparison with Other Plans
| Item | povo 2.0 | ahamo | LINEMO | Rakuten |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Base Fee | ¥0 ✨ | ¥2,970 | ¥990~ | ¥1,078~ |
| 3GB Price | ¥990 | — | ¥990 | ¥1,078 |
| Admin Fee | Free | Free | Free | Free |
| Contract Lock | None ✨ | None | None | None |
👥 Who Is This For?
Secondary Line
Want another number
WiFi-Primary Users
Low data consumption
Variable Usage
Needs change monthly
Occasional Heavy Use
Unlimited for travel
Family Backup
Emergency contact
Dual SIM
Work/personal split
⚠️ Things to Note
- Online only – No physical stores, all procedures online
- No LINE age verification – Can’t use ID search, but QR codes work
- No family discounts – au discounts don’t apply
- 128kbps when throttled – Very slow after data runs out
❓ FAQ
👉 Learn more: Point Activity Beginner’s Guide
👉 Advanced: V Point → WAON → Welcia for 1.5x value!
📝 Summary
- ✅ ¥0 base fee – Japan’s cheapest phone maintenance
- ✅ au high-quality network, 5G supported
- ✅ ¥500/year maintenance, or ¥0 with Lawson
- ✅ ¥5,600 via point sites = 20 years of maintenance!
📲 Get Started Now!
Not registered on point sites? Get up to ¥5,600 with Hapitas – 20 years of maintenance covered!
🏆 Hapitas Moppy Point IncomeNote:Cashback data as of January 3, 2026. Subject to change.