Rakuten's 10,000/7,000 points only help after entry, Link, and resident checks line up.

Start with the phone-number job, not the points

This campaign is useful for a foreign resident who already needs a regular Japanese mobile line. It is weak motivation for a short-stay visitor who only needs arrival-day data.

• Good fit: students, workers, long-stay newcomers, and residents who need calls, carrier SMS, housing, school, work, delivery, banking, or account recovery tied to a Japanese number.
• Weak fit: travelers who only need maps, translation, hotel apps, messaging, web, and tethering. Start with the data-only eSIM guide or before-arrival checklist instead.
• If you are comparing Rakuten's first-application campaign with the referral path, read the Rakuten referral campaign guide before choosing one route.

What the official campaign says now

The official campaign page and campaign list checked on 2026-06-20 still show the first-application offer. The live page lists 10,000 points for eligible MNP and 7,000 points for non-MNP applications, with the increased point period shown as no announced end date.

• The campaign is for a first application to Rakuten Saikyo Plan or Rakuten Saikyo U-NEXT, and the official page excludes Rakuten Saikyo Plan Data Type.
• Entry is required before applying. If the entry month and application month differ, the official page says to enter again in the application month.
• Campaign details can change without notice, so recheck the official page on the day you apply instead of relying on saved screenshots or old summaries.

Entry, activation, and Link use are the breakpoints

The points depend on the application route, not just activating a line. The official conditions tie the benefit to entry, first-time use, plan start timing, and Rakuten Link usage.

• Complete campaign entry with the same Rakuten ID flow before the application instead of after it.
• Start using the eligible plan by the end of the month after the application month.
• Make a call of at least 10 seconds with Rakuten Link by the end of the month after application, and keep Wi-Fi or another data line ready for setup if you choose eSIM.

Treat the points as conditional benefits

The official page explains later point receipt after conditions are met, and the points are limited-time Rakuten Points. Do not use the headline amount as an immediate price cut.

• The page schedules receipt from the end of the second month after campaign conditions are met and says points may be delivered over several months.
• Limited-time points can expire, so check how you plan to use Rakuten Points before counting the full amount as savings.
• Device, referral, family, and other campaigns may have different routes or exclusions. Compare the official campaign notes before assuming you can stack them.

Clear documents and payment before chasing rewards

For foreign residents, the practical failure point is often the application itself. A name mismatch, old address, expiring document, unsupported phone, or payment problem can stop the line before points matter.

• Rakuten Mobile's identity-document page says application details must match the identity documents and that incomplete or mismatched submissions can fail or be cancelled.
• Check name order, middle name, residence-card address, document validity, payment method, compatible phone, SIM/eSIM choice, and Wi-Fi before entering the campaign.
• If the monthly plan still feels uncertain, compare Rakuten Mobile with ahamo, LINEMO, and povo on the plan comparison page before opening any campaign route.