Cancellation service N°1 in Japan
Contract number:
To the attention of:
Cancellation Department – Rakuten Mobile
Rakuten Crimson House, 1‑14‑1 Tamagawa
158‑0094 Setagaya‑ku, Tokyo
Subject: Contract Cancellation – Certified Email Notification
Dear Sir or Madam,
I hereby notify you of my decision to terminate contract number relating to the Rakuten Mobile service. This notification constitutes a firm, clear and unequivocal intention to cancel the contract, effective at the earliest possible date or in accordance with the applicable contractual notice period.
I kindly request that you take all necessary measures to:
– cease all billing from the effective date of cancellation;
– confirm in writing the proper receipt of this request;
– and, where applicable, send me the final statement or balance confirmation.
This cancellation is sent to you by certified email. The sending, timestamping and integrity of the content are established, making it equivalent proof meeting the requirements of electronic evidence. You therefore have all the necessary elements to process this cancellation properly, in accordance with the applicable principles regarding written notification and contractual freedom.
In accordance with the Consumer Rights Act 2015 and data protection regulations, I also request that you:
– delete all my personal data not necessary for your legal or accounting obligations;
– close any associated personal account;
– and confirm to me the effective deletion of data in accordance with applicable rights regarding privacy protection.
I retain a complete copy of this notification as well as proof of sending.
Yours sincerely,
15/01/2026
How to Cancel Rakuten Mobile: Complete Guide
What is Rakuten Mobile
Rakuten Mobile is a telecommunications operator that offers usage-tiered mobile plans, domestic voice benefits via a proprietary calling app, and point-earning incentives across the Rakuten ecosystem. The carrier's modern pricing approach adjusts the monthly fee according to data consumption, making it attractive for cost-conscious users who vary month to month. Rakuten Mobile also bundles perks such as Rakuten Points accumulation that can affect the net value of holding a line.
Official plan tiers shown by Rakuten list three primary usage bands (0 - 3GB, 3 - 20GB, 20GB+); these rates are denominated in JPY on the operator site but translate to modest A$ amounts for comparative budgeting. The operator notes programmatic discounts for family lines and age-based reductions that change the effective monthly outlay for eligible lines.
| Plan tier (official) | Listed price (incl tax, JPY) | Approx price (A$) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 - 3GB | ¥1,078 | A$10.30 approx | Lower use tier; family discounts can reduce effective cost. Conversion approx based on market mid-rate. |
| 3 - 20GB | ¥2,178 | A$20.80 approx | Mid-tier usage; includes limited international roaming credits in some offers. |
| 20GB+ | ¥3,278 | A$31.33 approx | Unlimited domestic data tier; subject to fair use and speed management. |
The A$ approximations use recent mid-market JPY/AUD rates; treat them as indicative for budgeting rather than exact billed amounts. The official listing and campaign details remain the primary authority for precise monthly charges and any time-limited promotions.
Consumer rights that matter for Rakuten Mobile
From a financial perspective, know which party handles billing: if a subscription or add-on is purchased via a platform (for example, an app store), the platform typically manages recurring billing and refund decisions; this affects how you pursue refunds or disputes. For Rakuten Mobile services billed directly by the operator, contract terms and any administrative fee rules on early termination are the governing documents.
Rakuten Mobile historically advertises no generic early termination penalties for many modern plans, but administrative charges, hardware return obligations, or specific campaign conditions can create balance liabilities if a line is closed shortly after activation. Check plan-specific terms for administrative fee conditions and how Rakuten Points are handled on termination.
How cancellations typically affect billing and value
Notice periods and billing cycle alignment: cancellations will generally align with the provider's billing cycle; expect the effective date to be the next billing boundary unless plan rules specify proration. In terms of value, terminating a low-cost tier to move to another provider can raise yearly communications costs significantly, as documented by users comparing Rakuten's low-tier pricing with alternatives.
Proration and refunds: proration rules vary. Rakuten's public guidance and third-party guides indicate the operator may not offer pro rata refunds for a partially used billing period in all cases, and some refunds are processed as credits or point adjustments rather than cash. Closely monitor the first invoice after cancellation to confirm any balance, credit, or residual liability.
| Item | Typical effect on final bill |
|---|---|
| Billing alignment | May stop at billing boundary or charge for full month depending on plan rules - Varied |
| Refunds/proration | Often limited; sometimes processed as points or credits - Varied |
| Administrative/early fees | Usually none for modern plans but legacy or campaign conditions may apply - Check terms |
Customer experience with cancellation
What users report
In community threads and forums, customers report a mix of outcomes. Positive remarks highlight clear, low monthly prices and straightforward billing comparisons that make it easy to see savings. Complaints relate to language barriers for non-Japanese speakers, difficulty locating the cancellation option in the account area, and unexpected charges tied to hardware return or residual instalment plans. One user wrote that they "couldn't find where to cancel my phone plan" when preparing to leave the country.
Recurring issues and practical takeaways
Recurring issues include: points expiry or loss after line closure, lingering automatic renewals for linked services, and occasional mismatch between what users expect and the operator's invoicing for final charges. From a financial perspective, users emphasise keeping a detailed record of activation dates, campaign terms, and any device lease agreements to quantify potential exit liabilities.
Practical takeaway: verify whether a service was billed via a third party (for example, an app store) so you understand who controls refunds and subscription status after closure. For streaming services associated with Rakuten (for example, Viki Pass), the subscription platform often governs cancellations and refunds, which affects timing and dispute avenues.
Documentation checklist
- Proof of purchase: invoices or order receipts that show activation date and plan type.
- Campaign terms: screenshots or text noting any introductory discounts, point bonuses, or time-limited rebates.
- Billing statements: recent statements covering the last two billing cycles to reconcile pre- and post-cancellation charges.
- Device/loan agreements: any contract for handset subsidies or router rentals that may trigger return fees.
- Payment method records: card or bank statements that evidence recurring charges and the last successful payment date.
- Correspondence log: dates, subject lines, and outcomes of any communications or disputes (keep concise notes).
Address
- Address: Rakuten Crimson House, 1‑14‑1 Tamagawa, Setagaya‑ku, Tokyo 158‑0094, Japan
Practical financial considerations before you cancel Rakuten Mobile
Consider the full cost of switching. From a financial perspective, compare the expected total annual cost on your current Rakuten plan (using the approximate A$ tiers above) with likely alternatives. Include loss of Rakuten Points and any campaign benefits in your calculation; for many users the net effective price can change materially once points and family discounts are removed.
If you use bundled international roaming credits or an app-based domestic voice benefit, price those out as a monthly equivalent so you can compare service-for-service rather than just headline plan fees. Users who rely on free domestic calls via a Rakuten calling app often see a sudden increase in per-call charges after switching, which can quickly erode any small monthly savings.
| Comparison | What to check | Budget note |
|---|---|---|
| Keep Rakuten Mobile | Points benefit, app voice cost, current average monthly usage | Often lower for light users - confirm coverage and voice usage |
| Move to other provider | Handset fees, call rates, roaming cost, effective monthly rate | Higher baseline; compare total annual cost not just monthly headline |
Disputes, refunds and chargebacks
From a consumer-rights perspective, document the unexpected charge and the date you first noticed it. If a charge appears after the effective cancellation date, you will need evidence to support a dispute. Card issuer chargeback processes remain an option for billing errors, but they will ask for supporting documents such as invoices and proof of the cancellation request.
Note that when a subscription is billed by an app platform, the platform's refund policy often governs dispute outcomes. Streaming subscriptions tied to Rakuten (for example, Viki Pass) commonly include guidance that platform-managed subscriptions will be subject to the platform's refund mechanisms. Keep this allocation in mind when planning dispute timelines.
How to preserve value when you cancel
Before cancelling, quantify remaining Rakuten Points and any unexpired benefits; these can materially change the opportunistic value of staying a short period longer. Consider the break-even window: calculate how much the next provider will cost over 12 months versus your current effective cost including points and discounts.
Financially optimise the timing: if a campaign gives a multi-month rebate, verify the timing so you do not forfeit significant earned value by cancelling prematurely. Track whether any device instalment or rental balance remains; these can be billed after line closure if not settled.
Recommendations for an orderly cancellation record
From a budget optimisation perspective, create a concise packet of the documents listed in the documentation checklist before initiating cancellation. Use a dated cover note in your records describing the reason for closure and expected effective date to make later disputes faster to resolve.
Recommended method for creating proof: Use a trackable, certified mailing option to create verifiable evidence of your cancellation communication and retain the receipt. Preserve the receipt number and add it to your billing records. Maintain digital backups of all supporting documents. (Do not rely solely on screenshots that lack date/time metadata.)
What to Do After Cancelling Rakuten Mobile
Immediately monitor your next two billing cycles and your payment method for residual or unexpected charges. Reconcile every line item against your documentation packet and flag discrepancies early.
Action items: update automatic payments for any services that used the cancelled line as verification, re-evaluate roaming plans or short-term alternatives if you travel, and run a 12-month cost projection comparing the new provider to your Rakuten total cost with points factored in. If you spot an incorrect charge, file a dispute with your payment provider using the documentation packet.
From a financial-advisor viewpoint, reallocate the monthly savings into a short-term buffer to absorb any one-off exit costs such as device balances, then reassess whether switching produced the expected annual savings. Set a calendar reminder to revisit the carrier decision six months after cancellation to validate actual savings versus forecasted figures.