Okay thanks again.

I've got an Iphone paid for by my company on some type of special plan that's also paid for. Perhaps that's the reason why the SIM card situation seems to be so complicated with my phone and therefore it's not an easy option.

I think I'm going to have to go with Jpn pocket wifi vendor when in Jpn just cuz of concerns of tech support if that becomes necessary. I will look at the other thread for some recs.

I'm leaving for Jpn in a couple days and will be in a remote part of the country for much for the trip this time around, so will probably just go with our extremely slow cellular data again. But will definitely look into it when I go back in fall.