– **International Format**: For international dialing, Japan’s country code “+81” is used, with the leading “0” of the domestic number dropped. Thus, “090-1234-5678” would be dialed as “+81 90-1234-5678” from abroad.
**Types of Numbers**:
– **Landline Numbers**: These numbers are fixed to specific geographic locations. Area codes are used to identify regions, with major cities like Tokyo and Osaka having their unique codes.
– **Mobile Numbers**:
Mobile numbers are not tied to specific locations but are categorized by the prefix “090”, “080”, or “070”, indicating the service provider and type of mobile service.
– **Special Numbers**:
These include toll-free 2024 Hong Kong Telegram Users Library numbers (beginning with “0120”) and premium-rate numbers (beginning with “0570”), used for customer service and information hotlines.
### Cultural Significance of Phone Numbers
In Japan, the concept of a “good” phone number extends beyond its utility and delves into cultural symbolism. Japanese culture places Mastering Contact Management Databases significant importance on numerology and the perceived luck associated with certain numbers.
**Lucky Numbers**:
– **8 (Hachi)**: The number 8 is considered highly auspicious in Japan due to its phonetic similarity to “prosperity” (発展, hatsuten). Numbers containing multiple 8s are often viewed as lucky and desirable, especially in business contexts.
– **7 (Shichi/Nana)**: The number 7 is another lucky number, symbolizing happiness and good fortune. Its association with the Seven Lucky Gods (七福神, Shichi-fuku-jin) reinforces its positive connotations.
**Unlucky Numbers**:
– **4 (Shi/Yon)**: The number 4 is associated with bad luck because its pronunciation “shi” is the same as the word for “death” (死). As a result, phone numbers with the digit 4 are often avoided.
– **9 (Ku/Kyuu)**: Similarly, the number 9 is considered unlucky as it sounds like the word for “suffering” (苦, ku). Many Japanese prefer to avoid this number in phone numbers, especially in significant or celebratory contexts.
