Japan Cell Phone/SIM Card Question

I have a Motorola V3 RAZR unlocked quad band cell phone that I use when I travel.

I will be moving to Japan in November. It is my understanding that my phone with a Japanese SIM Card won't work there. Does anyone know why?

Will I have to buy a whole new phone/SIM card combination there if I decide I want a cell phone?? Any ideas?

I also have an unlocked Blackberry. Would I have better luck with it?

Thanks.

Mari

Mari, I don't believe either one of your present Phones will operate in Japan, as the three networks operating there use 3G GSM at 1700 & 2100 MHz (have a look at this link for further information). Neither of your Phones is technically capable of operating on the cell networks there AFAIK, as even quad-band Phones don't have the necessary UTMS / W-CDMA radio transceiver to operate on 3G networks.

You could of course buy a new Phone when you arrive there, however I have to wonder if it would be equipped with an English-language character set? I'm not sure what to recommend? Hopefully you'll get a few more replies to your Post. BTW you have an interesting web site - very nicely done!

Cheers!!!