Today I went to Docomo with a secretary from work to act as a translator to try to get a contract. I have a nexus5 which I recently bought before I found out I would be moving here so I wash hoping I could keep my phone and just get a japanese plan.

I know many people recommend doing prepaid, and I considered that but since I will be here for at least 2 years I figured it was simplest to get a contract.

However even though my phone is unlocked, and I know it can connect to the docomo network (just with roaming charges at the moment) they would not give me a contract because the phone doesn't display a symbol, I was only hearing it through a translator who didn't understand phones very well but it seemed to be that it was a law they couldn't give me a contract for a phone without the symbol legally.

Anyone know anything about that? Would I have better luck with softbank or some other carrier? Or am I just out of luck and should fall back on ordering a prepaid card.