anyone got any idea which phones that can be purchased in oz that is compatible to be used in japan?

check this out joe

http://euc.jp/misc/cellphones.en.html#import

I know Au (the company) global standard phones can be used in Australia and Japan, but these are japanese phones. Vodaphone should be able to help you out.

Probably best bet is just by a cheap prepaid while you are over there. Go to any Bic camera store in japan. They are everywhere! Sorry I can't be of more help.

the most popular "mode" in japan is PDC (Personal Digital Cellular) followed by CDMA & WCDMA (Wideband). DoCoMo & Vodafone supports both technologies (PDC & WCDMA), so the phone you need is a dual mode (WCDMA/GSM) phone.

to confuse the matter further, 3G FOMA are also available since 2001 from NTT DoCoMo & KDD which has grown in popularity since then, so it is possible the 3G phones will work there (although the coverage might still confined to major cities).

confused?!

thanks for all that gents

renting will be pretty easy
there're vodafone stands at the arrival lounge and drops at the departure
easy!

what ya buying me?!

Omiyage kudasaii!!!!!!

(Japanese custom where you have to bring back presents to friends and work mates from the place you visited. Thus explaining the proliferation of crappy australiana gift shops selling koala keyrings that Japanese seem to love).

that's alright then
i dont work with any of you
and dont know 3/4 of you!

*cough cough*