International rates calling directly from cell phone, going through your cell phone company, would be very expensive. Calling cards can be cheaper, but they usually charge what's called "connection fee" per each call -- for example, companies like penny talk charge 49c per each call just to connect you. So if you call and they're not there, you are charged 49c + the first minute (4c for landlines/14c to cell) -- just to leave a message.Another option I've found is what is referred to as a dial-around service: First you register your cell phone (or home phone) number with a company, you call a designated 1-800 number from that phone, then dial the number in Japan once connected. I go through a company called Total Call International to call my family in Japan -- it's 6.9c per minute to Japanese landlines, and 15.9c to call cell phones. No "connection fee" or monthly fee.If you both have a good internet connection and you know when you'll talk to each other, you might want to do something like Skype PC-to-PC, as that would be free (you'd need a PC headset or phone).P.S. Keep in mind, if your friend's number in Japan starts with a 0, you omit it in your dialing. E.g. If it starts with area code 03, you would dial 011-81(country code)-3-[the rest of the number].
dcs.net2phone.com
USA call to Japan on a Sprint PCS Cell phone?
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