iPhone 5 Verizon contract ended, can I use it with a Japanese SIM card?

[kobayashi1092]

My iPhone 5 2 year contract with Verizon ended and I have been using it with StraightTalk for the past few months before I ship out to Japan. I need to use a phone for a month before I buy new one in Japan, and am wondering whether anyone knows if I can use the Verizon iPhone 5 with international SIM's (a Japanese one,) or if I need to get it unlocked before I go. Thank you!

[mama23dogs]

Verizon unlocked all its phones including the iPhone 5.  Just to make sure, you can contact Apple and give them your ESN.  They can tell you if it is unlocked for certain.   It does have GSM bands for foreign use.

Have a very safe trip.