Survey: About 17% of Dare Demo Smartphone users could not get mobile contracts due to family-related circumstances

In modern society, a mobile phone number is a foundation of social life and functions as social infrastructure for accessing public support and employment. A survey of users of “Dare Demo Smartphone” on the reasons they became unable to hold a mobile phone number found that about 17% of respondents, or 105 people, were unable to sign a mobile phone contract not because of their own financial situation, but because of family-related circumstances involving parents, spouses, or other relatives. The survey reports realities that are difficult to prevent through individual effort alone, as well as the reasons these situations make rebuilding one’s life harder. The inability to sign a mobile phone contract is often seen as a personal financial problem. However, when respondents were asked about the main reason payments became difficult, a notable number cited “circumstances involving parents or family” (60 people) or “circumstances involving a former spouse or partner” (45 people). The background includes cases where people lent their name to a parent, had their name used without permission, or had contracts managed collectively within the family. In telecommunications contracts, the contract holder is treated as responsible under their own name. As a result, unpaid bills by family members can directly lead to the person being unable to sign a new mobile phone contract. Unpaid charges may arise without the person realizing it and affect their own credit information. Looking more closely at who affected unpaid telecommunications fees, 56 respondents cited “parents or family members, such as unpaid family discount plans,” while 55 cited a “former spouse or partner.” Free-text responses included cases such as: “My parent borrowed money or fell behind on payments under my name,” “Payments were delayed on a parent-child phone plan,” and “My husband had unpaid bills. By the time the information reached me, it was already too late.” Among people who lost access to a mobile phone because of someone else’s circumstances (150 people), about half, or 46.0% (69 people), said they had been refused reservations or consultations at government support counters because they did not have a phone number. This was higher than the share among those whose situation was caused by their own circumstances (38.9%). Today, a phone number is social infrastructure required for many procedures, from booking appointments at government offices to employment and securing housing. The survey found that some people who lost their phone number due to circumstances they could not prevent, such as unpaid bills by family members or unauthorized use of their name, felt they were turned away when they sought help simply because they lacked a phone number. The survey shows that a certain number of people lose access to mobile phone numbers for reasons that cannot be dismissed as personal circumstances, and many continue to face invisible barriers while trying to rebuild their lives. Although national and local governments provide support counters, losing communication access can make contacting those counters difficult, leaving some people unable to find an opportunity to improve their situation. Even when the cause is something the person could not prevent, such as unpaid bills by family members or unauthorized use of their name, the issue is often overlooked as an interpersonal dispute. This can prevent affected individuals from reaching the support they need. There is a need to create an environment where people facing unexpected circumstances can regain a point of contact with society under their own name. The survey was conducted from February 25 to March 4, 2026, using a questionnaire method. There were 604 valid responses from men and women who had experienced a period without a mobile phone. “Dare Demo Smartphone,” provided by Aralink Co., Ltd., is a service that allows people who have difficulty signing mobile phone contracts due to past delinquency records or similar reasons to apply if they have identity verification documents. By using its own screening process, the service quickly provides communications as a lifeline and helps prevent social isolation. It has supported a cumulative total of 110,000 people, helping many take the first step toward employment and reintegration into society.