Campaigns & Discounts
Discounts almost always have conditions. Learn to read them before you sign.
How to read a campaign advertisement
Lump-sum ¥1 and ¥1/month are completely different
Read the cash price, the final residual and the return conditions—not only the largest ¥1 shown in the advertisement.
Lump-sum ¥1
- Device sale price: ¥1 in total.
- You pay ¥1 once and ordinarily own the device. The ¥1 price alone does not create a return obligation.
- MNP, plan, device, payment-method or application-channel conditions may still apply.
¥1/month × 23 with a residual value
- The first 23 payments total ¥23. The advertised ¥1 is one monthly installment, not the full device price.
- A large final residual payment remains. Returning an accepted device by the deadline can waive that payment under the program.
- If you keep the device, you pay the residual in a lump sum or through continued/re-divided installments, depending on the program and screening.
Worked example: why ¥1/month is not a ¥23 phone
Illustrative figures only. Actual prices, residuals, timing and fees differ by device and purchase date.
Checklist before you sign
- Is the headline price lump sum, or one monthly installment?
- What are the cash price, installment total and final residual?
- Which month must you apply, and by what date must the device arrive and pass inspection?
- Are there program-use, early-return, collection or administrative fees?
- What damage, activation lock, non-genuine repair, missing-part or reset conditions cause an extra charge or rejection?
- Does the discount require MNP, a specified plan, paid options or a new device purchase?
- Back up data, move authenticator and eSIM access, sign out of Apple/Google accounts and erase the device before return.
- Cancelling the mobile line does not automatically cancel the installment agreement or complete the return procedure.
- Installment approval may be refused when the remaining residence period is shorter than the payment term.
Current carrier-program examples
Names and conditions differ by carrier, device and purchase date. These are not interchangeable programs.
| Carrier | Program | Main structure and caution |
|---|---|---|
| NTT DOCOMO | いつでもカエドキプログラム | Residual-value 24-payment purchase. Return by month 23 and pass the conditions to waive payment 24; without return, the residual is normally re-divided into 24 payments. |
| au | スマホトクするプログラム | Residual-value 24-payment purchase. Collection in months 13–25 can waive the final payment. If kept, the residual can be paid at once or is normally re-divided into 24 payments after screening. |
| SoftBank | 新トクするサポート＋ | A 48-payment return program, not the same 23-payment residual structure. Applying from month 13 or 25 and returning by the deadline can waive remaining payments; a program-use fee of up to ¥22,000 may apply. |
| Rakuten Mobile | 買い替え超トクプログラム | A 48-payment program using Rakuten Card. Return during months 25–47 to waive the remaining balance. A ¥3,300 administrative fee applies; damage can cost ¥22,000 or make the device ineligible. |
Campaign vocabulary
Common questions
What does a “¥1 phone” actually mean?
It depends on which structure is being advertised. “Lump-sum ¥1” (一括1円) means the device sale price is ¥1 in total and you ordinarily own it. “¥1 a month” (月々1円) means ¥1 is one monthly installment: the first 23 payments total ¥23, and a large final residual payment remains unless you return the device by the program deadline.
Is a “¥1 per month” phone a ¥23 phone?
No. In a typical residual-value example the cash price is around ¥96,000: payments 1 to 23 are ¥1 each, then a final residual of roughly ¥96,000 is due. Returning an accepted device by the deadline can waive that residual; keeping the device means paying it in a lump sum or through re-divided installments.
What is a device return program?
A residual-value or return-based installment purchase — carrier names differ (いつでもカエドキプログラム, スマホトクするプログラム, 新トクするサポート＋, 買い替え超トクプログラム). You sign an installment purchase agreement and stay responsible for the device and payments until the return is accepted or the balance is paid. Program-use, early-return, collection and damage fees can apply, and damage or a missing part can make the device ineligible.
Does cancelling my mobile line end the installment?
No. Cancelling the mobile line does not automatically cancel the installment agreement or complete the return procedure. They are separate steps, and calls, roaming and carrier-billing charges can still arrive afterwards.
What should I check before signing a campaign?
Whether the headline price is lump sum or one monthly installment; the cash price, installment total and final residual; which month you must apply and the device arrival and inspection deadline; program, early-return and damage fees; and whether the discount requires MNP, a specified plan, paid options or a new device purchase.
Why might I not qualify for the advertised price?
A headline number is the best case. The real value depends on your eligibility, the exact model, any option you must add, and conditions such as MNP-only or a specified payment method. Installment approval can also be refused when your remaining residence period is shorter than the payment term.