Area Code 245 – Fukushima, Fukushima

Overview of Area Code 245

Area code 245 is a geographic National Destination Code (NDC) within the Japanese numbering plan, assigned to the city of Fukushima and its surrounding municipalities in Fukushima Prefecture, located in the Tohoku region of Japan's Honshu island. This code is used for fixed-line (PSTN) services, including traditional analog lines, ISDN, and some VoIP-based fixed services that are registered to the area. The numbering area covers the central part of Fukushima Prefecture, including the city of Fukushima, the prefectural capital, as well as neighboring towns such as Date, Kunimi, and Koori, among others.

Geographic Coverage and Administrative Jurisdiction

The 245 area code serves the central portion of Fukushima Prefecture, which is administratively under the jurisdiction of the Tohoku Regional Telecommunications Bureau. The primary city is Fukushima, which acts as the commercial and administrative hub of the prefecture. Other significant towns within this code include Nihonmatsu (partially), Motomiya, and Otama. The region is known for its agricultural produce, particularly peaches and cherries, and has a growing technology sector.

Dialing Formats and Instructions

When dialing a number within the 245 area code, the standard local format is 245-XX-XXXX (where X represents a digit). For calls made from outside the area code but within Japan, you must dial the trunk prefix 0 followed by the area code and subscriber number: 0245-XX-XXXX. For international callers, the format is +81 245-XX-XXXX (or +81 245 XX XXXX). Note that the leading '0' is dropped when dialing from abroad.

For example, a local call to a subscriber number 45-6789 would be dialed as 245-45-6789 from within the same area. From Tokyo, you would dial 0245-45-6789. From the United States, you would dial 011 81 245 45 6789 (or +81 245 45 6789 on a mobile phone).

Overlay and Numbering Considerations

Currently, there is no overlay code for the 245 area; it remains a standalone geographic code. However, due to the increasing use of VoIP and mobile services, the distinction between geographic and non-geographic numbers is becoming less relevant for end users. It is important to note that some businesses may use non-geographic numbers (e.g., 0120 or 0570) for customer service, which are not tied to a specific location.

For callers within Japan, local calls within the same area code are typically charged at a lower rate than long-distance calls. International callers should be aware that rates vary depending on their carrier and calling plan. Always check with your service provider for the most current tariffs.