score:4
Answering my own question after a bit more digging:
Mobal seems to provide a good plan at 1000 yen/month (voice & SMS only, as I have no need for data).
Upvote:1
You may want to just get a Line.app account and/or VOIP number such as through Skype or other service thatβll give you a local number.
I found in Japan that everyone preferred Line to communicate and no one ever called me on voice except for official business.