Job Discussion Forums

[NorthofAmerica]

Alright, I have looked at the info posted on here and it is all very vague.

I am leaving from Canada on Aug. 20th and have a few questions:

1. I have a CIBC Visa, an MBNA Mastercard (Ottawa U Alumni Card), and a PC financial card. Will any of them work in Japan? Will I be able to transfer money electronically (i.e. online) to my credit cards from a Japanese account?

2. I am planning on ditching the PC card and opening a new account with a bank that I can access from Japan. Any ideas what Canadian banks (if any) can be accessed from a Japanese bank machines or that have a partnership with a Japanese institution?

3. Is the Japanese banking system really as shitty as it sounds? Are there any banks I should avoid or any banks that I should be particularly interested in? I will be in Wakayama City near Osaka if that helps.

Basically I just want to be able to move money from a Japanese account to a Canadian account. Also, I sponsored a child in Mexico and the money comes off my CIBC visa every month so I want to be able to continue paying it off.

Any info helps

[canuck]

It's not as easy as you want it. There are a few options of sending money home. One way is when your money is deposited in your Japanese bank account is to send it through Lloyds to your Canadian Bank account. From there, you can pay your credit card. I suggest setting up internet banking with CIBC before you leave. Come to Japan with all the necessary information about your home branch to make the process easier.

Search this forum about sending money home and there is a wealth of information.

[JimDunlop2]

There are no Canadian banks that will give you ATM access in Japan through partnerships.

As canuck said, do a search on the forum -- these questions have been answered dozens of times.

Good luck.