SMS destination
Japan
Dialing code +81 · Asia. Everything you need to send compliant SMS to Japan with the Bird SMS API.
Policy last updated July 13, 2026
What you can send
Two-way messaging
Supported
Sender types
Every way you can originate a message to this country, with how each is cleared for use and how long that takes. Listed best route first.
| Sender | Activation | Setup time | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Short code | Short-code provisioning | Varies | Supports two-way replies. |
| Alphanumeric Sender ID | Instant activation | Same day | One-way only. |
| Long code (phone number) | Instant activation | Same day | Supports two-way replies. |
Rules & regulations
What local regulators expect before you send, as the destination's own policy record states it.
URLs in content may be filtered and SMS related to Casino/Betting are not allowed in Japan and will be treated as SPAM.
One API
How sending works
You send to every destination through the same endpoint and the same keys. Bird picks a compliant route for the country, applies opt-out handling on every message, and reports delivery from carrier receipts. The country-specific part is which sender you register. The API call does not change.
Sending to Japan, answered
What senders ask before their first message to Japan.
Do I need to register a sender before sending SMS to Japan?
Can I use an alphanumeric sender ID in Japan?
Can I receive replies from Japan?
Are there quiet hours for SMS in Japan?
What other channels can Bird reach Japan on?
The rest of the SMS platform
One API, one set of keys. Explore the other capabilities.
Put it into practice.
Continue with the documentation, guides and examples for this topic. Resources are in English.
Start sending to Japan
Create a workspace, register a sender, and send your first message from the same API you will scale on.