Good morning. It’s まさきん.
Rakuten Mobile has updated a notice for foreign nationals on its news page.
In short, more types of ID documents are now accepted for identity verification, and you can use them when applying online too. Here is what changed.
Four eligible document types
The notice lists four eligible document types. Both the Residence Card and the Special Permanent Resident Certificate now come in new versions.
- Specified Residence Card (a Residence Card combined with a My Number Card)
- Specified Special Permanent Resident Certificate
- Second-generation Residence Card
- Second-generation Special Permanent Resident Certificate
The Specified Residence Card and the Specified Special Permanent Resident Certificate are new cards introduced on June 14, 2026. For the second-generation Residence Card and second-generation Special Permanent Resident Certificate, cards issued on or after that same date, June 14, 2026, are eligible.
Now usable for online applications too
At first, these documents were only listed as acceptable for applications at Rakuten Mobile shops.
With the September 1, 2026 update, you can now also use them for the online identity verification process called “Easy ID Verification on Your Smartphone” (Sumaho de Kantan Honnin Kakunin).
Being able to finish the whole application without going to a store feels like a big step forward. You should be able to tell whether your card is one of the new types by checking its date of issue.
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Not sure which type your card is?
There are several kinds of Residence Cards and Special Permanent Resident Certificates, which can be confusing.
For the exact conditions on which documents are eligible, the safest bet is the official Immigration Services Agency of Japan website. Card generations depend on when the card was issued, so checking the date of issue on your card in advance makes things smoother.
If anything is unclear, contacting Rakuten Mobile customer support is another option.
Summary
Rakuten Mobile now accepts a wider range of ID documents for foreign residents. The four eligible types are the Specified Residence Card, the Specified Special Permanent Resident Certificate, the second-generation Residence Card, and the second-generation Special Permanent Resident Certificate.
Starting September 1, 2026, these documents can also be used for online identity verification. Check the date of issue on your card to see whether it qualifies.
Conditions may change in the future. If you are thinking about applying, be sure to check the latest information on the official website.
Our household has been consolidating our fixed costs into the Rakuten ecosystem. If you are not using Rakuten Mobile yet, this might be a good time to try their price simulator.
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