Job Discussion Forums

TK4Lakers · Joined: 06 Jan 2006 Posts: 159

Hello, I'm an ALT here from the states in my first stint teaching in the schools.

Just wondering, is it possible for a foreigner (like most of us, I presume) to get a credit card here in Japan?

If not a cc, perhaps some kind of a loan?

I am not in desperate need of money....just wondering if its still possible to acquire one in case of emergencies, etc. Thanks.

David W · Joined: 17 Jan 2003 Posts: 457 Location: Japan

Yes it is, but not through the banks. Your best bet will be thru shops, supermarkets, department stores and the like.
My most recent one is from Kinokuniya (bookstore) while the one before that was from JAF (Japan automobile Fed.)

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

Yes, you can get one. Do a search on the Japan forum, this has been covered quite a bit. It can take some time to get a credit card and some people still do not qualify for one.

Willy_In_Japan · Joined: 20 Jul 2004 Posts: 329

Ive been here 3.5 years and they lied to me to refuse me.

I am going to try a 4th time soon.

canuck · Joined: 11 May 2003 Posts: 1921 Location: Japan

Like a Rolling Stone · Joined: 27 Mar 2006 Posts: 872

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

I got one on my third attempt, but not from my bank. From all the posts I've read on this, it really seems to be hit or miss. Some people get a card straight off the boat, but this is definitely not the norm.

One thing to keep in mind is that a Japanese credit card is different from cards overseas, at least the U.S. My card is a Mastercard, but it is not a revolving credit card. If I make a purchase with my card, the full amount will be billed in the following billing cycle. There is no option for making a "minimum payment". When buying something expensive, at the time of purchase you can request to pay in installments. For example, I recently bought a mountain bike and asked the store to bill my card twice. So, I paid half last month and will pay half this month. Some stores do this, some don't.

I like this system because it discourages me from buying something which I cannot afford. However, if there was an emergency requiring me to purchase, for example, a 100,000 yen plane ticket, that money would have to be in my account the following month.