電話リレーサービス

The 電話リレーサービス app offers an essential communication tool designed to assist individuals with hearing or speech difficulties in Japan. This service facilitates telephone conversations by providing a relay service, where an operator interprets calls between the user facing communication barriers and others who do not experience such difficulties.

To access the benefits of the service, pre-registration is mandatory for eligible users, including those with a physical disability certificate indicating hearing loss or voice/language dysfunction, individuals who experience difficulty using the telephone due to aging or other acquired conditions, and corporations employing individuals who meet these criteria.

Once registered, users receive a dedicated phone number which allows them to initiate and receive interpreted calls. This assistance is exclusively available within Japan, catering to Japanese speech, characters, and sign language. A broad range of numbers, including landlines, mobiles, specific IP phone numbers, emergency services, and toll-free numbers, can be dialed. However, some phone settings may restrict connectivity, and incoming calls might not be received if relay service numbers are disallowed.

There are two billing options for users: one includes a monthly fee plus usage-based call charges, while the other omits the monthly fee but incorporates pay-as-you-go rates. Emergency and toll-free calls are not subject to charges.

For thorough understanding of the system, charges, and the registration process, individuals are encouraged to review the "Terms of Service" and "Important Matters Manual," provided by The Nippon Foundation Telephone Relay Service—a designated telephone relay service provider by the Minister of Internal Affairs and Communications. This documentation is made easily accessible on their official website.

The 電話リレーサービス app aims to enhance communication accessibility, enabling more inclusive and effective phone interactions for those facing hearing and speech challenges.