GTN and Nissay Plus Microinsurance Launch Smartphone Insurance for Foreign Residents

Global Trust Networks, Inc. (Headquarters: Toshima-ku, Tokyo; President and CEO: Hiroyuki Goto; hereinafter "GTN"), a company dedicated exclusively to foreign nationals, offering comprehensive services for life in Japan including housing, employment, telecommunications, and financial solutions, has launched the "Smartphone Insurance" service for foreign residents in collaboration with Nissay Plus Microinsurance Co., Ltd. (President and CEO: Hideyuki Imanishi), a subsidiary of Nippon Life Insurance Company (President and CEO: Tomoji Aasa).

Through this partnership, GTN will offer Nissay Plus Microinsurance's "Smartphone Insurance" alongside its GTN Mobile service, aiming to create an environment where foreign residents can use smartphones in Japan with peace of mind.

Background of the Collaboration

For foreign residents, smartphones are not merely communication tools but essential infrastructure supporting daily life and employment. From contacting family back home, job hunting, communicating with employers, handling administrative procedures, accessing healthcare and disaster prevention information, to cashless payments—many aspects of life in Japan revolve around smartphones.

However, many foreign nationals, especially those newly arrived or unfamiliar with Japanese systems, lack adequate protection against smartphone damage or malfunctions. Barriers such as Japanese-language-heavy insurance product descriptions and complicated enrollment procedures often result in such “emergency preparedness” being postponed. In recent years, as smartphones have become more advanced, repair costs have also risen significantly. Repairing the latest models can cost between 50,000 and 100,000 yen (※1), equivalent to approximately 20–40% of the average monthly income of foreign residents (about 250,000 yen) (※2).

To address these unique concerns and challenges faced by foreign residents, GTN and Nissay Plus Microinsurance have partnered to offer an affordable smartphone insurance plan designed specifically for this demographic.

※1 Range of official repair prices from major manufacturers (based on internal research)

※2 Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, "Basic Survey on Wage Structure, Reiwa 7"

Details of the Collaboration

Under this partnership, GTN will act as an insurance agent, offering Nissay Plus Microinsurance's "Smartphone Insurance" in combination with GTN Mobile, its telecommunications service for foreign nationals, including SIM cards and multilingual support. This enables foreign residents to obtain emergency protection at the same time they begin using communication services in Japan—even immediately upon arrival and even without prior knowledge of Japanese systems.

The goal is not only to make smartphones functional as life infrastructure but also to ensure they can be used continuously with peace of mind.

<Main Features of Smartphone Insurance>

Affordable monthly premium of 200 yen

Users can enroll for just 200 yen per month, allowing foreign residents to prepare for emergencies without placing a heavy burden on household finances.

Coverage for smartphone damage

Repair costs due to damage, including cracked screens from drops, are covered up to a maximum of 50,000 yen per device (cumulative over the insurance period), subject to a deductible.

Eligible regardless of device condition or carrier

The insurance covers smartphones regardless of carrier, and applies to both new and used devices, including second-hand phones purchased upon arrival in Japan.

Complete enrollment and claims process via smartphone

All procedures, from enrollment to insurance claims, can be completed entirely via smartphone. Enrollment is also available at GTN stores when signing up for a SIM contract.

Future Outlook

Through this collaboration, both companies aim to transform smartphones from "devices whose damage would cause hardship" into reliable, secure infrastructure for foreign residents in Japan. The number of foreign residents in Japan is projected to reach approximately 4.13 million by 2025 (※3), with the working-age population reaching about 2.57 million (※4), and further growth is expected. Going forward, both companies plan to continue exploring initiatives that improve convenience and living conditions, based on the evolving needs and living situations of foreign residents.

※3 Immigration Services Agency, "Number of Foreign Residents in Japan as of End of Reiwa 7"

※4 Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, "Summary of Notifications on Employment of Foreign Workers (as of End of October, Reiwa 7)"

[About Nissay Plus Microinsurance]

Company: Nissay Plus Microinsurance Co., Ltd.

Headquarters: Otemachi Building FINOLAB, 1-6-1 Otemachi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo

Founded: April 30, 2021

President: Hideyuki Imanishi

URL: https://www.nissay-plus.co.jp/

[About GTN]

GTN's mission is "Enriching Lives Across Borders for All." Since its founding in 2006, GTN has consistently provided specialized services for foreign nationals. The company offers comprehensive support for life in Japan, including housing (rental guarantee and brokerage), employment (job placement and retention support), telecommunications (SIM and network services), financial services (credit cards and loans), residency support, and staffing solutions. Approximately 70% of GTN's employees are foreign nationals from around 20 countries and regions, enabling the company to understand linguistic and cultural differences and effectively resolve diverse challenges faced in daily life.

Company: Global Trust Networks, Inc.

Headquarters: Oak Ikebukuro Building 2F, 1-21-11 Higashi-Ikebukuro, Toshima-ku, Tokyo

Founded: July 2006

President: Hiroyuki Goto

Business: Specialized services for foreign nationals, including rental deposit guarantee, rental brokerage, telecommunications, financial services, residency support, and staffing

URL: https://www.gtn.co.jp/