Explicit Consent (Opt-in): Always obtain clear and explicit consent from recipients before sending any marketing or promotional messages. Double opt-in is highly recommended.
Sender ID Restrictions: Be aware of rules regarding Sender IDs. Generic Sender IDs (e.g., "INFO," "SMS") are generally prohibited. Alphanumeric Sender IDs are typically allowed for international routes but may be filtered on 3G phones for domestic traffic. Domestic Sender ID registration can be
Content Restrictions: Certain content is strictly forbidden, including adult material,bulk sms south africa profanity, gambling (unless regulated), political, and religious messages. URLs within messages are often filtered or removed by carriers, making it crucial to provide full URLs or avoid them in critical messages.
Opt-Out Mechanism: Every message must include clear instructions in Japanese for recipients to opt out (e.g., "停止" (STOP), "ヘルプ" (HELP)).
Sending Hours: Generally, promotional SMS should be sent between 9:00 AM and 8:00 PM JST to avoid disturbing recipients, unless it's an urgent or transactional message.
Character Limits: While Unicode messages can support up to 670 characters (per segment), concise messages (ideally under 70 Japanese characters for a single SMS) are generally recommended for optimal delivery and user experience.
Cost Considerations for SMS Gateways in Japan
The cost of using an SMS gateway in Japan varies depending on the provider, message volume, and the destination carrier. Prices typically range from around ¥6.5 to ¥12 per SMS for businesses. Volume discounts are commonly offered, significantly reducing the per-message cost for higher sending volumes. Many providers also offer pay-as-you-go models with no setup fees or monthly subscriptions.
In conclusion, while Japan's digital landscape is diverse, SMS remains a powerful and trusted communication channel for businesses. By leveraging a reliable SMS gateway and adhering to local regulations, companies can effectively reach their Japanese audience, enhance customer engagement, bolster security, and drive operational efficiency. For direct, high-impact messaging, the SMS gateway is an essential bridge to the Japanese market.