Area Code 975 – Oita, Oita

Geographic Overview

The area code 975 is a geographic National Destination Code (NDC) assigned to the city of Oita, the capital of Oita Prefecture, located on the island of Kyushu in Japan. This code serves the central and western parts of the Oita Plain, encompassing the urban core of Oita City, including the wards of Akane, Kamegawa, and Notsuharu, as well as the surrounding municipalities of Beppu City (eastern portion) and Yufu City (parts of Shonai and Yufuin areas). The administrative jurisdiction falls under the Oita Prefectural Government, and the code is managed by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC) of Japan.

Dialing Formats

When calling a landline in Oita from within Japan, subscribers dial the trunk prefix 0 followed by the area code 975 and the subscriber number (typically 6 digits). The complete national format is 0-975-XXX-XXX. For example, a local call to a business in Oita would be dialed as 0975-123-456.

For international callers, the leading zero is omitted. The international format becomes +81 975 XXX XXX (or +81-975-XXX-XXX). Thus, a caller from abroad would dial +81 975 123 456 to reach the same number. It is crucial to note that the area code is not separated by a space in the international format; the country code +81 is followed directly by the NDC and subscriber number.

Local and Foreign Caller Instructions

• Local callers (within Oita): For calls within the same area code, the area code may be omitted, and only the 6-digit subscriber number is dialed. However, due to number portability, it is recommended to always include the area code to avoid misrouting.
• Domestic callers from other regions in Japan: Dial 0975 followed by the subscriber number (e.g., 0975-XXX-XXX).
• International callers: Dial your country's international access code (e.g., 011 from the US/Canada, 00 from most European countries), then Japan's country code 81, then 975 and the subscriber number, omitting the leading zero.

Overlay and Numbering Considerations

As of the latest MIC updates, the 975 area code does not have an overlay code; it remains a standalone geographic code. However, Japan implemented number portability for fixed-line services, allowing subscribers to retain their numbers when switching carriers, but the geographic significance remains tied to the original location. The number length for fixed lines in this area is 10 digits (including the trunk prefix 0), which is standard for Japanese geographic numbers.

For VoIP services, users may be assigned numbers with the 975 prefix, but these are not necessarily tied to a physical location; they are used for routing purposes only. When dialing from abroad, it is essential to use the correct international format to ensure proper termination.