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Telephone 電話
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INSTALLATION
Installing a telephone in Japan is expensive, because it actually involves paying for a telephone line. It is possible however, when you leave to sell the line and get at least part of the money back. In order to apply for a line you need identification and money to cover the installation fee, which depends on the type of phone services you require. Enquiries can be made to 116.
DISCONNECTION
To discontinue use of the telephone, contact 116.
IMPORTANT TELEPHONE SERVICE NUMBERS
116 Connection and Installation
113 Telephone breakdown or malfunction
104 Directory Assistance
106 Reverse Charge Calls
DOMESTIC CALLS
To make a domestic call you need the area code and telephone number.
For example: (area code) XXX and then (telephone number) XXX-XXXX. If you are within the city limits, you don’t need to dial the area code.
RATES
You will receive a monthly bill, consisting of a basic telephone charge, the cost of the calls and consumption tax. Besides NTT there are two other telephone companies listed below, which offer discounts on local calls. If you wish to use their services, you simply have to register with them.
JT (Japan Telecom) 257-3580
KDDI 227-5522
There are discount periods for long distance calls, ask your telephone company for details.
PAYMENT
There are two methods of payment:
1. Pay in person at banks, post offices, or convenience stores
2. Have it automatically transferred from your bank account.
DOMESTIC COLLECT CALLS (106)
Dial 106 to make a collect call. If you are using a pay telephone then you must put in 10 yen or a telephone card, which will be returned after the call. You then state your name, and the name and telephone number of the other person. This service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
HOW TO USE A PUBLIC TELEPHONE
You pick up the telephone receiver, insert 10 yen, 100 yen or a telephone card to get a dial tone and dial the number. You don’t need to dial the area code if it is a local call. 10 yen will last about one minute for a local call. If no additional coins are inserted, the line will be cut off without warning. No change is given for partially used coins.
TELEPHONE CARDS
Telephone cards can be purchased at stations and bus terminals, department stores and from vending machines. They can be purchased in values of 500 yen(50 units) and 1000 yen (105 units). A digital display on each public telephone shows how much credit you have left.
INTERNATIONAL CALLS FROM PUBLIC TELEPHONES
Using a KDD international telephone card, you can make international calls from all push button telephone card telephones. NTT telephone cards may only be used to make international phone calls from designated international public telephones.
INTERNATIONAL CALLS
To make an international call from your home telephone, you will have to register with an international telephone company. There are a number of telephone companies that you can use. The four main companies are KDDI (001), IDC (0061), NTT-C (0033), and ITJ(0041). All dialling charges are calculated in units of 6 seconds and the prices vary slightly between the four companies. You can make direct international calls by dialling the prefix and the number you wish to call.
KDDI (Kokusai Denshin Denwa International)
International Operator 0051
International Direct Dial 0056
IDC (International Digital Communications)
0120-030061
ITJ (International Telecom Japan)
0120-440041
NTT-C (NTT Communications)
0120-540033
INTERNATIONAL OPERATOR
Operator assisted calls are offered through KDDI only. The service includes person to person calls, station to station and collect calls. Simply dial 0051 and tell the operator the number and name of the person who you want to call. This is a costly service.
INTERNATIONAL RATES
Your monthly bill will list the date, time, country, telephone number and the length of the call. The domestic and international telephone bills are sent separately, but can be paid in the same way.
TELEGRAMS AND TELEXES
Domestic telegrams can be sent by dialling 115. Tell the operator your telephone number, the recipient’s name, address and the message. International telegrams can be sent by calling KDDI (03-3344-5151) toll free. Urgent messages are sent as regular telegrams, with a base rate and additional charges for each word. The cost will be added to your monthly telephone bill.
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