SoftBank to Introduce Early Contract Termination Fee from 2026

Japanese telecom operator SoftBank has announced the introduction of an early contract termination fee for new subscribers. The changes will take effect on July 1, 2026, and will impact three of the company’s brands. The fee amount will vary depending on the plan but will not exceed 1,100 yen (approximately $7.50 at the current exchange rate).

The new system will apply only to users who sign contracts after the specified date. For certain subscriber categories, the early termination fee will not be charged—conditions depend on the selected plan and other agreement terms. The operator has not disclosed details on when the penalty will not apply.

SoftBank’s decision aims to reduce the number of customers terminating contracts prematurely within the first year of service. Similar measures are already used by other telecom operators in Japan and other countries to stabilize their customer base and offset costs associated with connecting new subscribers.