US/EU Android can often install a Japan eSIM (EID via *#06#) and still cannot add Welcome Suica Mobile. eSIM is cellular. Suica tap is FeliCa. Most overseas Android handsets never got FeliCa. iPhone is the usual exception.

Welcome Suica Mobile (JR East) is 180 days, no refund, as of March 2026. Plastic IC still works at the gate.

If they also need maps after they leave airport Wi-Fi, that is a data plan, not the IC card. Checkout I copied 2026-08-29 (tell them to re-check): Airalo Japan 7d 5GB $10 / 10GB $17; Holafly 7d $27.50 hotspot 1GB/day; Ubigi 10GB/7d $14.

Dated notes: https://before-you-land.tiiny.site/japan/android/

Disclosure: Airalo links there may earn a commission. I am not asking anyone here to buy anything.