Japan telecommunications: NTT billing changes and new consumer protection proposals

NTT East and NTT West have announced changes to their telephone service billing rules effective from the September 2026 billing cycle. A major update involves unifying the billing period for landline services to the first through the last day of each month. Payment deadlines and automatic transfer dates will generally shift to the end of the month following the billing period. While most users do not need to take action, specific services like ‘Hikari Denwa’ and ‘Flets Hikari’ will experience different adjustments, and some users may see consolidated or delayed billing during the transition period.

Separately, Japan’s Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications has received an interim report from its Information and Communications Council regarding consumer protection. The report proposes new measures to prevent unexpected charges and simplify the cancellation process. Key recommendations include requiring providers to confirm a user's intent to continue optional services during the cancellation of a main mobile contract.

The Ministry also aims to improve protections for elderly users, particularly those aged 80 and older, by reviewing how family members are consulted during contract procedures. These proposals are part of a broader effort to standardize consumer protections across major carriers and low-cost mobile providers (MVNOs). A final report is expected by summer 2027.