A practical guide systematically organized by real estate experts on the differences between NTT East/West Flets Fiber and light collaboration services (Docomo Hikari, SoftBank Hikari, OCN Hikari, etc.), provider selection criteria, common contractual barriers foreign renters face (credit cards / residence cards), and workarounds to overcome them.
Reviewed by: Nobuyuki MoriPresident, M-Assets Co., Ltd. / Licensed Real Estate Transaction Specialist (Miyagi #018212)
The most important step in apartment hunting is the property inspection. This guide thoroughly explains the property viewing and application process for rental properties, from key checkpoints to tips for passing screening.
Once you've moved to your new home, updating your resident registration is mandatory within 14 days. We explain the procedures for filing your move-out and move-in notifications and what documents you'll need.
Choosing furniture and appliances before moving and planning your layout are key to a comfortable new life. We explain tips for accurate measurements and how to confirm delivery routes to prevent common mistakes.
What does a rental lease application review look at? A real estate professional explains screening criteria, required documents, common pitfalls, and solutions in detail.
Japan's fixed internet service market is structured so that multiple providers lease and utilize the "fiber optic network" installed by NTT East and NTT West. To actually use a fiber internet connection in your apartment, you need two separate contracts: a "line service contract" and an "internet service provider contract". If you don't understand the distinction between these two, you won't be able to understand the pricing structure or cancellation terms.
Foreign renters face additional hurdles during the contract process, such as presenting a residence card, providing a credit card, and language support limitations. Understanding how these contracts work in advance is crucial.
NTT East and NTT West's "Flets Fiber Next" service requires you to sign separate contracts—one with NTT for the line service and another with a provider (such as BIGLOBE, OCN, @nifty, or So-net). Since billing comes from two companies, it can be cumbersome to manage, but you have the widest choice of providers.
Major carriers like NTT Docomo, SoftBank, and Rakuten Mobile lease NTT's fiber network as OEMs and rebrand it under their own names. Since the line service and provider are combined into one company, billing and customer service are unified.
Light collaboration services offer bundle discounts with mobile carriers (e.g., Docomo Hikari with ahamo, SoftBank Hikari with SoftBank Air), which can save you around ¥1,000/month. Choosing a service that matches your existing mobile carrier offers the best value.
If your building experiences slower speeds during evening peak hours (7:00 PM–11:00 PM), you must choose a provider with IPv6 IPoE support (v6 Plus or Transix). Older providers offering only IPv4 (using the legacy PPPoE protocol) can experience speeds as low as 5–10 Mbps during evening hours, even on the same fiber connection.
Major providers supporting IPv6 IPoE:
Before signing up, always verify on the provider's official website that it explicitly supports "IPv6 IPoE" or "v6 Plus".
Most light collaboration services require 2-year or 3-year contracts, with cancellation fees of ¥10,000–¥25,000 if you terminate early. Foreign renters planning short-term stays should opt for "no-contract" plans (Rakuten Hikari, en Hikari, etc.) or consider mobile internet services like UQ WiMAX instead.
Light collaboration services often advertise cashback rewards of ¥20,000–¥50,000 for new customers, but the claim process is often complex (e.g., submitting a request via email after 12 months), and many people forget to claim them. When comparing providers, also consider how easy their cashback redemption process is.
NTT and light collaboration providers accept a residence card as proof of identity. However, they may require that your residence card be valid for at least 6 more months (1 year recommended). Some providers have been known to refuse contracts for those on short-term visas.
Fiber services typically accept payment by credit card or bank transfer, but more providers are moving to credit card-only. If you don't have a Japanese credit card (Rakuten Card, Sumitomo Mitsui Card, etc.), choose a provider that accepts bank transfer (OCN Hikari, Plala, etc.), or open an account with Japan Post Bank (Yucho Bank).
You must provide a Japanese phone number (mobile or landline) when applying. You can obtain a number for as little as a few hundred yen per month by signing up with a SIM-free provider like Rakuten Mobile or LINEMO.
Most providers offer support only in Japanese, and only a few have English telephone support (SoftBank Hikari and OCN Hikari do). If you're concerned about finding a translator during troubleshooting, prioritizing providers with English support is a smart choice.
Before signing a lease or internet contract, always confirm with the building management whether Flets Fiber or light collaboration services can be installed. Even if a property is advertised as "fiber-compatible," it may actually use a different provider's proprietary network, making your preferred provider unavailable.
New fiber installation typically costs ¥16,500–¥44,000. Light collaboration services often run "effectively free" campaigns that spread the installation cost over 24–36 monthly billing credits. Be aware that if you cancel before the credits are fully applied, you'll be charged the remaining balance in full.
When choosing an NTT fiber service and provider, compare across five dimensions: Flets Fiber vs. light collaboration, IPv6 IPoE support, contract term and cancellation fees, payment method, and support language. Foreign renters should prepare three things in advance—confirm your residence card's validity, secure a Japanese credit card or bank account, and obtain a Japanese phone number—to ensure a smooth contract process. Pairing a light collaboration service with your mobile carrier is the most cost-effective option, and choosing an IPv6 IPoE-compatible provider ensures stable speeds during evening peak hours. For short-term stays, also consider contract-free plans and mobile internet services.
When vacating a rental property, move-out notice is essential. A real estate professional explains in detail the required notice period, the procedure flow, and what you need to do before moving out. We also cover important points for avoiding penalties.
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