Job Discussion Forums

[englishtutor1378]

So I have read almost everyone�s posts regarding credit cards and it seems that everyone has different experiences regarding CC and attaining them. From my experience, I have tried applying for a few credit cards and it is true some companies like JCB CC Tokyu does not even give a response if they do not want to give you one. So recently, I applied for a TOP Tokyu Plaza department store MC and they gave me a response immediately. They called me 2 days later to help me fix the information on my application. Frankly, sometimes I wonder if I have to even give them a copy of my Gaijin card, who knows what they do with it since privacy invasion is an issue here in Japan (Ie, fingerprinting, photos, new foreigner system). Below is a link taken from Japan Times about the new foreigner system they want to implement?

http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/nn20080126a1.html

I mean, do I have to give them ID or can I just fill out the forms and provide my sponsor and/or my current employer?

It seems some of you applied and got credit right off the plane, and some of you never got credit here even after 4 years. What�s up with that? Please feel free to share more of your CC application experiences.

Let�s face it. Japan needs us foreigners to sustain growth. I mean, their economy is going nowhere with like 1 � 2% growth in GDP. But on the upside of things, if we can establish credit here in Japan it is the best place to get a loan or a mortgage to pay back those hefty student loans since in Canada our interest is at least 7% and here in Japan we can cut that in half. So please everybody please shed more light into recent experiences about Credit Cards, attaining credit or even your thoughts about all the new changes that have taken place here in Japan.

[Wintermute]

I had a horror run trying to apply for a credit card. At first I went to UFJ (before it merged) and applied. I was made to pay a processing 'fee' of 5000yen (money I really needed at the time because I had only been in the country for 4 months). I thought that since I had paid the fee it would only be a matter of paperwork. Wrong - I got a note from UFJ that they couldn't accepted my application. That was it, no reason stated. I was a little ticked but I tried again about a year later with Citibank. I thought because it was an American bank they might not care that I was a foreigner. Again, another letter saying they were sorry but they couldn't give me a credit card, at least it was English this time (but still no explanation).

I tried once more when I was approached by a MUFJ staff member who encouraged me to apply. I thought that since the staff member helped me out MUFG must have changed its tune. Wrong again, same rejection letter I had received 3 years previous (literally because I kept the old one for some reason). I tried one final time at AEON - I did it offhand, I was just walking past one of their vendors and she asked me if I wanted to apply. I told her bluntly if I was wasting my time or not being a foreigner and she seemed a little surprised but said I would probably get one. I filled out her forms and ticked the 300,000yen limit box (I figured that if I ever thought of using 500,000yen on a credit card I may as well go to a bank for a personal loan). This time I got the card...with a 200,000yen limit. I was dumbfounded someone would go out of their way to change my limit but happy I had finally got a credit card (my first ever). Moral of the story: bring your credit cards from home with you.

[Glenski]

[Apsara]

[markle]

[englishtutor1378]

With that kind of childish response I would say you are 5 years old.

Lets rephrase, Japan needs foreigners to teach them English because they need native english teachers for our native tongue. Thats what I mean when I talk about "needing foreigners" since this is a ESL cafe . Regarding economic growth, I compare those numbers with China's and I guarantee you in less than 10 years GDP output here in Japan will be below China's. If you want to talk about real economic growth China is what I call economic growth, not Japan.

[markle]

[Chris_Travel_the_world]

I couldn't find the link off-hand but I can get it when I go back to school on Tuesday. Anyway it said that Japan would need 17 million foreign workers in order to sustain its workforce. Given the low birth rate, huge number of seniors and lack of immigration, I can believe it.

Like it or lump it Japan needs foreigners just like Canada, America, Europe...and the rest of the developed world. Developed countries don't seem to have the birth rate to sustain growth.

I haven't tried applying for a credit card yet, still using my ones from home, but I was thinking about it. I must admit this thread isn't all that encouraging. I might give it a shot though.

And why can't we all just get along here on the Japanese forum

[englishtutor1378]

Thanks Chris_Travel_The World,

Maybe this is one of the hundreds of articles that you read earlier.

Titled:

Shaping the future as an immigrant nation

http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/nn20080126f1.html

Sorry everyone for going a little off topic but it seems like that always happens. Everything somehow relates.

Back on topic, it is true that Japan has one of the lowest benchmark lending rates in the world at 0.5% where in Norway, the benchmark lending rate is 5.25 percent, and in Australia, it's 6.75 percent and those are just a few examples and are facts. Therefore, trying to get credit here isn't a bad idea so please don't be discouraged in trying to apply.

[markle]

[G Cthulhu]

[G Cthulhu]

[Glenski]

[Apsara]

As we all know, foreigners can also face formidable obstacles in the workplace in Japan. Even though Japan is short of nursing staff the number of foreign nurses they have been letting in has been a tiny trickle.

It may be easier for Japan to support women in the workplace here and start using that untapped resource than to start letting foreign labour in en masse.

Either way something will have to change.

[Quibby84]

Just curious Glenski, what will your neighbor do?