Job Discussion Forums

drifter13 · Joined: 27 Mar 2007 Posts: 124 Location: Fujisawa

After renewing for another year in Japan, I've been wondering the best way to get a Japanese credit card. Does anyone know a Japanese credit card company that is easy to apply for and has English support? I'm with Shinsei bank and I can't find any info on the website, and the brochure is in Japanese for credit cards.

Any help/info would be much appreciated.

southofreality · Joined: 12 Feb 2007 Posts: 579 Location: Tokyo

Try for an Epos card. You can apply at a Marui (OIOI) department store.

G Cthulhu · Posted: Sun Oct 05, 2008 7:02 pm Post subject: Re: Japanese Credit Card

You've been in Japan for a year and you can't read something like a credit card app yet?! Rolling Eyes

(help yourself before others can help you, and all that jazz...)

markle · Joined: 17 Jan 2003 Posts: 1316 Location: Out of Japan

Pull ya head in G Ctuhulthulu

I've been here over 3 years and still would be looking for credit card application advice if I'd been learning Japanese seriously (I haven't).

Don't pretend that CC apps aren't a confusing royal pain in the ass either. I looked into it and opted for the slivers of bamboo up my fingernails instead.

Anyhow given the type of questions that have been posed on the board recently we should nurture this kind of inquiry.

OP good luck. Look at the possiblity of getting a CC from home if possible.

Apsara · Joined: 20 Sep 2005 Posts: 2142 Location: Tokyo, Japan

I don't think it's unreasonable to not be able to read a credit card application in Japanese after a year here. Maybe G Cthulhu can share with us how he/she reached that level of Japanese reading ability in just 12 months?

As for getting a Japanese credit card, after 10 years here I still don't have one. I have started filling out the application a couple of times and then just got annoyed at the questions- having to state the construction materials of my residence and provide them with the phone number of my employer etc- it's just a bit too nosy in my opinion.

Then there is the fairly high probability of being turned down because of being considered a flight risk.

I send money back to NZ regularly in any case to get decent interest on my savings and cover expenses I have there, so I just use my NZ credit cards sparingly and send money home to pay them off.

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

Try American Express. It's more expensive and not as widely accepted but I think it's easier to get.

One problem with not having a Japanese billing address is, if ever you want to buy anything online, many (most?) companies will not accept the order if the shipping and billing address is different. With so much credit card fraud, it's a good thing obviously, but a pain if you don't have a J-credit card (or at least J-billing address).

bearcat · Joined: 08 May 2004 Posts: 367

Japanese Citibank visa is relatively easy to get. You have to open a bank account with citibank in Japan then apply for the card.

chinagirl · Joined: 27 May 2003 Posts: 235 Location: United States

I applied online for a SAISON card three years ago and have had no problems, although there is no support in English. I had a Japanese friend help me apply and payment is debited from my bank account.

TokyoLiz · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 1548 Location: Tokyo, Japan

Why not go through your bank? The two institutions I bank on both offer Visa cards and you can apply at the branch, at the counter. Talking to a live human being about the options makes it easier for you, as the credit card clerk can help you out with difficult kanji or questions you may have.

My bank offered automatic payment, and the card itself has a points system, some special deals with some services and shops. I use the card when I do online business with non-Japanese websites. The card is that widely accepted.

Good luck with your banking.

G Cthulhu · Posted: Tue Oct 07, 2008 12:12 am Post subject:

dove · Joined: 01 Oct 2003 Posts: 271 Location: USA/Japan

But in some ways Japan does cater to English speakers. Signs in the station are in English. My ATM has English (except for doing transfers). Tokyo Gas, Softbank, and NTT have customer service in English. I don't think the original poster was complaining that the credit card brochure wasn't in English. He/She came onto a forum to seek advice. Some gave it. Someone gave a cantankerous reply. Business as usual.

Yawarakaijin · Joined: 20 Jan 2006 Posts: 504 Location: Middle of Nagano

dove · Joined: 01 Oct 2003 Posts: 271 Location: USA/Japan

You were denied a rental card at Tsutaya???? Could you explain a bit more?

Yawarakaijin · Joined: 20 Jan 2006 Posts: 504 Location: Middle of Nagano

drifter13 · Joined: 27 Mar 2007 Posts: 124 Location: Fujisawa

Thanks for all the advice, I'll probably try my bank again, maybe call the English help line direct and see if they can make the process smoother. Worse comes to worse I'll just transfer money back to my Canadian Account and keep paypaling through my Canadian CC's. Just wanted a Japanese credit card for some more convenience and online stuff.

As for learning Japanese thing, or any language for that matter, I've always been pretty bad at it, I just can't get myself to think in anything but English. My hat off to those that can, and I hope I get that break through so I can finally watch Japanese stuff unsubbed Smile