Japan Technical Information for Travelers

Japan Technical Information – In Short

Japan Technical Information – In Details

Japan Voltage

The voltage in Japan is 100 V which makes it compatible with the 110 V voltage in the United States of America, Canada, and Japan.

100 V has an advantage over higher voltage such as the 230 V voltage that it is considered generally safer as it is less powerful. On the other hand, it costs more to transmit power to the end user using 100 V as copper lines must be thicker, hence lower voltages are generally used by wealthy countries.

Japan Electrical Frequency

The electrical frequencies in Japan are 50 Hz / 60 Hz.

Note that most household and electrical/electronic equipments nowadays support multiple frequencies, so generally, electrical frequency is not an issue compatibility wise.

Japan Plug/Socket Type(s)

The plugs used in Japan are A or B.

Plugs/sockets are usually an issue when it comes to traveling, so always make sure you travel with a universal plug adapter.

Japan DVD Region

Japan uses DVD Region 2.

DVD Region 2 is used in Europe, the Middle East, and Japan.

Note that a region 2 DVD cannot play on a DVD player supporting another region. There are, however, some region free DVD players available that can be used to overcome this.

Japan Blu-ray Region

Japan uses Blu-ray Region A.

Blu-ray Region A is used in North/Central/South America, Japan, Taiwan, North Korea, South Korea, Hong Kong and Southeast Asia.

Theoretically, a region A Blu-ray disc should not play in Blu-ray disc players supporting another region. However, most Blu-ray discs are now region free (meaning they can work on any Blu-ray disc player), and most Blu-ray players are also region free. Hence, compatibility is rarely an issue (for now) when it comes to Blu-ray discs.

Japan GSM Freqency(ies)

Japan uses the GSM 3G GSM frequency.

When travelling, make sure that your phone supports the GSM frequency of the country you’re traveling to. Usually the supported GSM frequencies are printed on the box of your phone as well as its manual.

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