What country code do I need to fax Japan?

Japan's country code is +81. When dialing internationally, add +81 (or 011-81 from a US landline) before the Japanese number, and drop the leading 0 from the area code. For example, Tokyo's 03-1234-5678 becomes +81-3-1234-5678.

Why does Japan still use fax machines so heavily?

Japan adopted fax technology in the 1970s and built entire legal, administrative, and business workflows around it. Over 90% of local governments still use fax daily, and 33.6% of Japanese households own a fax machine. The technology has deep cultural roots and legal standing for official documents.

What is the cheapest way to fax to Japan from the US?

Online fax services are far cheaper than retail locations. Services like mFax.to, Fax.Plus, and OneTimeFax charge a fraction of the $3–$5 per page that UPS or FedEx Office charges for international faxes. See our [international fax rates guide](/blog/international-fax-rates/) for a full comparison.

Does Japan use A4 or US Letter paper for faxes?

Japan uses A4 paper (210 × 297mm), which is slightly taller than US Letter (8.5 × 11 inches). For best results, format your documents in A4 before sending. Most online fax services handle the conversion automatically, but physical fax machines may clip Letter-sized documents.

What time zone is Japan, and does it affect when to fax?

Japan Standard Time (JST) is UTC+9, and Japan does not observe daylight saving time. Japanese business hours (9am–6pm JST) correspond to roughly 8pm–5am Eastern Time. For urgent documents requiring same-day attention, send before 5am EST. For non-urgent faxes, most Japanese offices maintain 24/7 fax reception.

How to Fax to Japan: Format, Rates & Best Services

Faxing to Japan requires the right country code (+81) and number format — one wrong digit and your document never arrives. This guide covers the exact format, typical rates, and the best online fax services for sending to Japan in 2026.

Frequently Asked Questions

What country code do I need to fax Japan?: Japan's country code is +81. When dialing internationally, add +81 (or 011-81 from a US landline) before the Japanese number, and drop the leading 0 from the area code. For example, Tokyo's 03-1234-5678 becomes +81-3-1234-5678.
Why does Japan still use fax machines so heavily?: Japan adopted fax technology in the 1970s and built entire legal, administrative, and business workflows around it. Over 90% of local governments still use fax daily, and 33.6% of Japanese households own a fax machine. The technology has deep cultural roots and legal standing for official documents.
What is the cheapest way to fax to Japan from the US?: Online fax services are far cheaper than retail locations. Services like mFax.to, Fax.Plus, and OneTimeFax charge a fraction of the $3–$5 per page that UPS or FedEx Office charges for international faxes. See our [international fax rates guide](/blog/international-fax-rates/) for a full comparison.
Does Japan use A4 or US Letter paper for faxes?: Japan uses A4 paper (210 × 297mm), which is slightly taller than US Letter (8.5 × 11 inches). For best results, format your documents in A4 before sending. Most online fax services handle the conversion automatically, but physical fax machines may clip Letter-sized documents.
What time zone is Japan, and does it affect when to fax?: Japan Standard Time (JST) is UTC+9, and Japan does not observe daylight saving time. Japanese business hours (9am–6pm JST) correspond to roughly 8pm–5am Eastern Time. For urgent documents requiring same-day attention, send before 5am EST. For non-urgent faxes, most Japanese offices maintain 24/7 fax reception.