For ADSL users in Japan....
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Determining The Meigi-nin

Q. To get ADSL on an NTT line, you need the phone line's meigi-nin. What is that? Why do I need it? And how do I get it?

A. The meigi-nin is the name of the owner or contracting party for the phone line. It is used to double-check that the installation is being done on the correct number. If the name and the number match, then ADSL is installed. If not, it is assumed that something is amiss (e.g., a typo in the phone number) and the installation is stopped. Following are instructions you should use to verify your phone line's meigi-nin.

Two Names on Every Phone Line

First of all, it is important to understand that there are two names, or meigi-nin, associated with every phone line, the "Billing Name" (請求書名義人) and the "Contracting Party" (契約者名義人). Typically, the names are the same but they do not have to be and, in the case of employees residing in employer-provided housing, the two names are usually not the same.

The Phone Bill Name is Not What is Needed

Please be clear on this point: For the purpose of determining the Contracting Party meigi-nin that is needed for your ADSL application, the name shown on the NTT bill is simply the name on the phone bill. It may or may not be the name of the contracting party.

Employer-Arranged Telephone Service

It is quite common for employers to arrange phone service for apartments they provide to their workers and in almost all cases they ask NTT to put their employee's name on the bills to give the employee a sense of responsibility for the payment of the bills.

However, the name on the bill is not what we need. The company is still the 'contracting party' for the phone service and it is that name that must be provided with the ADSL application.

Who is Your Phone Line's Contracting-Party?

If you personally purchased and/or arranged the phone line and provided ID documents to NTT, then you are the Contracting Party.
If your phone service was provided, arranged, or set up by your employer, or other person or the phone line is included with an employer-provided apartment, then the you might be the Contracting Party but it is most likely the in name of your employer.

Your Employer Might Confuse The Issue

If you ask your employer whose name the bill is in, even when it's in your name they will probably say "It's in your name." They do this for two reasons:

They think it's true because they called NTT and asked them to put the bill (that 'Billing Name") your name." They incorrectly assume that that is the required name.
They might not want to admit that it's in their name because the reason for putting the bill in your name was to make you feel responsible for paying it.

Necessity of Calling NTT to Verify the Name

Maybe you really are the Contracting Party. (It happens!) So, if your employer says it's in your name, then the next step is for you to call NTT yourself to verify that. If NTT denies that it is you, then you can ask if it's a Japanese or company name and take that info back to your employer.

Meigi-nin Verification Instructions

You may verify your phone line's meigi-nin by calling NTT toll-free in English at 0120-364-463 (Monday - Friday, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM) or in Japanese at 116 (7 days, 9:00 AM - 9:00 PM). The English line sometimes has a long wait. The best time to call is right at 9:00 AM when the line won't be too long.

Points to keep in mind:

First of all, let's pronunce it correctly when calling. The "gi" in "Meigi" is not the same as the "gi" in "gin." Instead, it's the soft "g" of "give" with "e" of "equal" making it rhyme with "key." Pronounce it like this: "may-geeh-neen" Remembering that the "geeh" rhymes with "key."
If you're calling the English line, once you are connected the English-speaking operator will call the 116 operator and translate for you.
NTT expects the meigi-nin him or herself to make the call.
NTT also expects to be called from the phone number being checked as they verify the caller's identity that way. If that is impossible, you can try from another phone, but they may refuse if your reason isn't convincing. The best excuse is probably that you work 9-5 everyday. If the operator refuses, hang up and try again--there's a good chance that you'll get a more understanding operator the next time.
NTT will not tell you the name. You have to tell them what you think it is and then they will confirm it as correct or not.
If your guess is not correct, try changing the order of names, or leaving out the middle name, etc., until you hit on the right version. Some operators are more helpful than others and will give you hints if you are close or tell you if it's something completely different. If you get an operator who refuses to help or give any hint, try calling back and talking to a different operator.
IMPORTANT: In the case of foreign names, you should also verify whether the name is registered in roman letters (a-b-c, etc.) or katakana and then verify each character carefully. If they have the spelling wrong, do NOT ask them to correct it in their records as that will just delay your ADSL application. Instead enter the incorrect spelling in the meigi-nin blank on the ADSL Application form (with a note explaining that there is a mistake making it different from the 'applicants' name). If you wish, you may contact them after the connection is completed and ask for correction.
If NTT says the name is not you, ask them if it's a Japanese or foreign name. If it's foreign, it may be the name of a predecessor in your job. Note: the NTT operator may balk at telling you this and, in fact, they don't have to tell you. But if you explain that it's a line that is supplied by your employer (assuming that's the case) and that if it is Japanese, you'll have your company call, the operator may relent and give you a hint.
If NTT says the name is Japanese, ask your supervisor (or whoever the owner may be) to make the call. In such cases it's not necessary to call from the number being checked as long as the phone line from which the call is being made has the same meigi-nin.

More info:

Worksheet with the specific questions you should ask NTT.

Hope this helps!

Jimmie

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