Area Code 272 – Maebashi, Gunma

Overview of Area Code 272

Area code 272 is a geographic National Destination Code (NDC) within the Japanese numbering plan, assigned to the city of Maebashi and its surrounding areas in Gunma Prefecture. It corresponds to the ITU-T E.164 country code +81, and the full international dialing format is +81 272 XXX XXX. Domestically, the number is dialed as 0272 XXX XXX (including the trunk prefix 0). This code is part of the Kanto region's telecommunications network and is administered by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC) in Japan.

Geographic Coverage and Jurisdiction

The 272 area code covers Maebashi, the capital city of Gunma Prefecture, along with adjacent municipalities such as Shibukawa, Yoshioka, and parts of the Tone and Seta districts. Maebashi is a major administrative and economic hub in the northern Kanto plain, known for its textile industry and as a gateway to the Joshinetsu region. The service area is geographically defined and does not include other Gunma cities like Takasaki (which uses 027) or Ota (0276).

Dialing Formats and Instructions

• Local calls (within the 272 area): Dial the 7-digit subscriber number directly, e.g., XXX XXXX. No area code is required.
• Domestic long-distance calls (from other Japanese area codes): Dial 0272 followed by the 7-digit subscriber number, e.g., 0272 XXX XXXX.
• International calls from abroad: Dial your country's exit code (e.g., 011 from the US, 00 from most European countries), then 81 (Japan's country code), then 272 (without the leading 0), then the 7-digit subscriber number. For example, from the US: 011 81 272 XXX XXXX.

Numbering Structure and Overlays

Japanese geographic numbers are typically 10 digits in length when dialed domestically, including the trunk prefix 0. Thus, a full domestic number in the 272 area is 0-272-XXX-XXX (total 10 digits). There is currently no overlay code for this area; 272 is the sole NDC for Maebashi. However, as with all Japanese geographic codes, number portability is available, so a subscriber number may retain its original prefix even if the service provider changes, but the geographic assignment remains fixed to the Maebashi exchange area.

Caller Guidance

For local callers within Maebashi, simply dial the 7-digit number. For callers from other parts of Japan, always include the trunk prefix 0 and the area code 0272. For international callers, omit the leading 0 and use +81 272. Ensure you have the correct country and area codes to avoid misrouting. Note that some VoIP services may require different dialing procedures, but for PSTN and mobile calls, the above formats are standard.