Job Discussion Forums

earthmonkey · Joined: 18 Feb 2005 Posts: 188 Location: Meguro-Ku Tokyo

Yesterday, after almost 4 years in Japan, I recieved a shiny new Japanese credit card. I made a huge mistake before I left the U.S. Knowing that my stay would be long term, I wanted to sever all of my financial ties. So, I closed my credit card accounts. I assumed that after I opened a bank account here, I could get a credit card soon thereafter. Very incorrect assumption!

So, after 3 rejections and near loss of hope, I finally have a card again. When I travelled to the U.S. last year, I couldn't even rent a car. I had to use my girlfriend's card. Bit of bite out of the ego.

I guess the reason for this post is as a warning. Don't cancel your cards before you come to Japan.

I've heard rumors that there's typically a 2 or 3 year residency or employment requirement, but haven't found any solid information on this.

Anybody else have trouble getting a card, or know of banks or companies which are quicker or more lienient in issuing cards?

I hope everyone is having a nice holiday season. I rarely post here, but read it regularly. It's a great place.

Gordon · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 5309 Location: Japan

It took me 3 months to initially get a credit card and it was through my employer. I thought that was a long time.

japancube · Joined: 30 Jul 2005 Posts: 26 Location: Australia

I recently applied for a credit card at citibank (Nagoya Branch) and received it in two weeks flat. It was pretty easy, except that I had to open a savings account also. I'm not saying that they are the best, but just that 2 weeks is pretty fast. It's nice to have for x-mas back home.

J. · Joined: 03 May 2003 Posts: 327

To the above posters, what kind of credit card(s) did you get and what were the "terms?" Did you have to put a certain amount of money in your bank account and leave it there, and if so how much? I heard that Citibank gave a "secured" card, that they expected you to maintain a certain balance. Is that true? What kinds of "qualifiers" were there? Any details you can give would be helpful to others who still don't have cards here yet.

:) Thanks

J.

Rorschach · Joined: 25 Mar 2004 Posts: 130 Location: Osaka

I have tried twice now to get a credit card. The first time was through UFJ. I had to pay a service fee of 5000yen (!) which I assumed would get me the card no problems but a month later I was sent a rejection letter saying that I hadn't lived in the country long enough. I was pretty ticked off as I had very little money at the time (4 months in country) and they wouldn't give me my money back. The second time was through Citibank. I thought I would have a better chance given it's an American bank. I dutifully applied but 2 weeks later I was sent another rejection letter, I was disqualified from the application process because I am a contract worker. I have given up on getting a CC in Japan. Cash is king here anyway and it's better to pay up front and avoid debt.

Edit - Regarding Citibank's saving account: To avoid the monthly 2100yen account maintenance fee you have to keep 500,000yen and above in the account. Once you crack 1,000,000 you are entitled to some extra benefits but I could care less. I just wanted an account separate from my UFJ one to save money.

Gordon · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 5309 Location: Japan

guest of Japan · Joined: 28 Feb 2003 Posts: 1601 Location: Japan

I've been rejected on two occasions. I think it depends on a ratio of salary to years worked/stability. Being a foreigner doesn't help (as my wife got the last company to admit).

Willy_In_Japan · Joined: 20 Jul 2004 Posts: 329

I tried on two separate occasions to get a Credit Card, and both times was rejected. My friend who got one previously, was helping me, and I put in similar amounts of earned income.

They seemed to give us an attitude and almost wondered if they were just rubber stamping my application 'rejected' and not even submitting it. They tried to discourage me from filling out the form even, by telling me that 'You need a home phone'........I replied 'hai' and when I looked in my Cell phone for the number, they said 'NO, a HOME phone number, not a Cell number',.......was a bit annoying to say the least.

I think next time, I will take a Japanese coworker with me.

madeira · Joined: 13 Jun 2004 Posts: 182 Location: Oppama

Mitsui Sumitomo gave me a VISA almost right off the plane... Only a cell phone to my name...

No yearly fees, no necessity to have a bank account with them. I call if I have to split up the payments furthur, and it's no problem.

No guarantor needed, either.

The only card I've had trouble getting is a Tokyu Department Store discount card. You HAVE TO get their credit card first!! No, it doesn't mention that on the application.... grrr.

Anyhow, Mitsui Sumitomo is a no-hassle bank to get a credit card from.

guest of Japan · Joined: 28 Feb 2003 Posts: 1601 Location: Japan

Mitsui Sumitomo was the first to reject me, and I have a bank account with them.

azarashi sushi · Joined: 23 Jan 2003 Posts: 562 Location: Shinjuku

Mizuho rejected me for a VISA card. I got an Am Ex easily enough though. I was surprised about the VISA as I've had one for years and have a good credit rating. I just want it based here so as I don't have to always send money home in order to pay the bill.

The funny thing with the Mizuho is that they said they would notify me 4 to 6 weeks after I applied. I waited and waited and didn't hear anything from them. I thought I'd do the Japanese thing and be patient. I called them a couple of times but they weren't able to give any information over the phone. Finally four months had passed so I went into the branch where I held the account and spoke to someone. She told me that my application had been rejected three months ago! A bit annoyed, I asked her why the bank hadn't informed me. She told me that it was not the bank's policy to notify people if they are rejected! Rolling Eyes

madeira · Joined: 13 Jun 2004 Posts: 182 Location: Oppama

This is weird info...

Why haven't I had problems?

Credit history? No, others have good history, too.

Length of time at job/in Japan? No. I'd only been here a few months.

Income? Ha, no.

Age? Maybe... Anyone else here over 35? (I'm talking about the application time period, not my current age..)

Anything else, besides the 'case by case' rule?

OaklandZoo · Joined: 13 Jun 2005 Posts: 30

The easiest credit card to get, it seems, is Saison. No annual fee unless you pick AMEX, and when I helped this Perubian guy go through the application, the only things (other than name, address and phone number) the Saison lady asked for was his alien registration card and his bank account info. Well actually they also asked like how big his family was, and the household's annual income. but those are asked to everybody applying for the cards.

If you go to any of the Seibu department stores or GMS type Seiyu stores they should have Saison offices set up, where you can apply.

osakajojo · Joined: 15 Sep 2004 Posts: 229

This is a good topic. I have often been curious, if my credit is shot in the States is it even possible to get a credit card here? Do they do a credit check from your home country?

ntropy · Joined: 11 Oct 2003 Posts: 671 Location: ghurba

One other thing to be wary of is that your credit card company back home may suddenly cancel your credit card because of your foreign address. I had an account with Mastercard for years. Soon after I changed my address to Japan, they cancelled my credit card without notice or explanation. I only found out when I tried to use it. Following up why, they informed me they don't honour accounts with out of country addresses.