Does anyone know of a GSM cell phone that supports Japanese?

I am in the US and I use t-mobile.

I would really like to get a phone that can support japanese characters in the addressbook. However, from what I've seen so far, Japanese phones do not use GSM, so the phones that are available can't be unlocked and used in the United States.

So does anyone know of any other cell that supports GSM and japanese character sets? I want to get it unlocked too so I can use it on the t-mobile network in the US.

Posted: Fri Aug 31, 2007 12:46 pm Post subject: Post Rating: 0

Um, there are some phones that can work back in the States or be cracked. I'm not sure what they are, but I know they exist. I just got a new phone from DoCoMo. It's one of the Motorola Razrs (FOMA 702iS); they weren't sure if it would work when I return to the States, but since a very sim. model exists, I can *probably* crack it if I can't change the SIMs card. I know that T-Mobile and DoCoMo have some sort of partnership b/c when a friend came to study here for a term, she got a phone from T-Mobile (maybe a Razr, actually...?) and could use it here w/DoCoMo.

Um, then again, even if your phone has Japanese support, if you sent a text message to someone and their phone DIDN'T have the support, they probably couldn't read what you wrote, anyway.

Maybe call the company and see if they have any suggestions for you?

Good luck!

Posted: Fri Aug 31, 2007 2:41 pm Post subject: Post Rating: 0

I don't know what GSM is, but Japanese works with KDDI mobile.
Seeing FAQ their target customers seem like Japanese moving/living in the US.
I think it's good to check it out!

http://www.kddimobile.com/Portal/WebObjects/Portal.woa?language=Japanese

You are partially correct about the Japanese phones not using GSM. Within Japan, none of the phones really use GSM, and therefore, do not use SIM cards. However, certain phones from Softbank do have the ability to have SIM cards inserted in them when roaming overseas, where the keyword is "roaming". You will have to have service with Softbank, and then when you use the phones overseas, you will be charged and arm and a leg for using it in the US, making it fine if you need a phone for emergency use while in the US, but not for general use.

You could try getting one of these phones from Japan, and see if someone has cracked it already, but I haven't really seen anything yet (not to say that it hasn't been done). My gut feeling tells me that the number of people who are working on this would be minimal, if any, simply because there really isn't a strong demand for this.

So in order to enter Japanese text into your addressbook, there are 2 ways I can think of:

1. HTC TyTN/Hermes aka Cingular/AT&T 8525 (US name)

This would be risky, but you can go to the pinch

A Developers Wiki for this phone http://wiki.xda-developers.com/index.php?pagename=HTC_Hermes and download the Windows Mobile 6 port for Softbank's version of this phone, however, 1) it has not been tested for use with Cingular/AT&T's network and 2) you would have to manually change all of the network settings if it does work.

2. 3rd party software

This would probably be of better help, and it would require you to get a Palm Treo or any of the Windows Mobile phones, and to install 3rd party software for japanese input. If you google "Windows mobile Japanese" or "Palm Japanese" or "Treo Japanese", you will find several 3rd party software options for Japanese input on your phone. For Windows Mobile, if you get one with a touch screen, you should also be able to just use handwritten recognition to input.

Hope this helps!

Posted: Thu Sep 20, 2007 4:30 am Post subject: Post Rating: 0

I live in the US and I have a Japanese cel phone. I actually have a Samsung Softbank phone. And it's compatable with Cingular/AT&T service. I bought it from a Japanese cel phone dealer here in America. They also have Japanese phones that work with T-Mobile.

The phone I have has English mode and can be used with the Cingular Sim Card I have. The only thing that doesn't really work good is internet. (But I don't use my phone for that since I have a Cingular wirless card). Also voice mail has to be set up differently because the phone is pre-programed to Softbank's voicemail system and not Cingular.

In regards to using the phone in both Japan and US, it is possible. You have to switch the frequency (or something like that). Also, if you want to use the phone in Japan, you have to get an account with Softbank or get an international plan with Cingular.

Hope that helps.

Posted: Thu Sep 20, 2007 12:33 pm Post subject: Post Rating: 0

Hmm, I am using a ppc e-ten m700 and it can display japanese without problems ... I think any windows mobile device can.

Posted: Thu Sep 20, 2007 1:01 pm Post subject: Post Rating: 0

I have a Vodafone 730SHF but currently lives in Canada. I think there are some Softbank/Vodafones that carry a little plug for SIM cards. However, because of Japanese firmware, some functions don't work perfectly or work at all.

However, if your friend's phones dont support Japanese chracters or mind you, even a Japanese phone, chracters will not show up but instead show up as little boxes. The cute little emoticons will not work on your friend's phone either. On top of that, sending a Japanese chracter SMS will cost you the price of an MMS.

Pretty much, as long as you have a phone thats unlocked, that carries a simcard holder you're good to go. Mind you though, there will still be some firmware. If you are buying it at a shop, ask them to set it up for you too. I got mine set up with the people and now my voicemail and what not works perfectly.

In a way it's going to be pointless to get one of those hightech phones, because we dont have Felicia and what not, so pretty much all the important functions to the phone have gone bye bye.

Hope this helps

Posted: Thu Sep 20, 2007 11:22 pm Post subject: Post Rating: 0

It seems any phone running Windows Mobile 5 can display Japanese via 3rd party software.
http://forum.brighthand.com/showthread.php?t=217045

Doesn't seem to work for smartphones. Only Pocket PC. I'll let you know if I get it working on smartphone, though.

Posted: Thu Aug 28, 2008 6:50 pm Post subject: Post Rating: 0

I LOVE Japanese phones they are so much more sleek and advanced and look so much cooler! I have also been looking for one maybe one that is unloacked on ebay.

I HATE American cell phones the korean cell phones LG and Samsung work like crap [I dont know abou the actual ones from Korea?]! Motorala also CRAP! And the iphone is ridiculous a two handed phone? Are we going backwards? Why must we have such ugly phones here? They need to bring Japanese phones over to the US, does anyone know why this does not happen?

Posted: Thu Aug 28, 2008 6:58 pm Post subject: Post Rating: 0

i have been living in japan and been using japanese phone
i dont know why do you like japanese phones, most of them are big and thick... i think US phones looks way cooler.

but if you meant the features and the technology, yes they have more features and more advanced.

Posted: Thu Aug 28, 2008 8:00 pm Post subject: Post Rating: 0

I think the look nicer, I especially like the square design and big screen!