Thanks for the info on how to activate via mobile. I'd wondered if it would send a text msg confirming as some inexpensive rental phones don't offer that function.
Here's the English Amazon link to get the 1 GB full sized SIM card
http://www.amazon.co.jp/gp/switch-la...language=en_JP
and micro
http://www.amazon.co.jp/%E6%97%A5%E6...8066959&sr=1-4
Useful if you're quickly transiting off to less urban areas of Japan. You can still have it shipped with an English checkout system.