December 20, 2024 Adding 060 Numbers to Mobile Phone Numbers for Voice Calls

 In response to the shortage of mobile phone numbers for voice calls, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC) has changed its Telecommunications Numbering Plan, allowing mobile operators to issue new 11-digit numbers beginning with 060.
 Once the relevant mobile operators complete the necessary preparations, mobile phone numbers for voice calls beginning with 060 will be available from July 2026 onward.

 Currently, the MIC provides mobile operators with 11-digit mobile phone numbers beginning with 070, 080 and 090 for voice calls in accordance with the Telecommunications Numbering Plan (MIC Notice No. 6 of 2019).
 To address the shortage of 070, 080, and 090 numbers, the MIC today revised its Telecommunications Numbering Plan based on a report from the Information and Communications and Posts Administrative Council, chaired by AIDA Hitoshi, specially-appointed professor at the University of Tokyo, to allow mobile operators to issue new 11-digit numbers starting with 060.
 Once the relevant mobile operators complete the necessary preparations, mobile phone numbers for voice calls beginning with 060 will be available from July 2026 onward.
 The mobile phone numbers beginning with 070, 080 or 090 currently in use for voice calls can be used continuously.