Job Discussion Forums

Mr. Fun · Joined: 14 Feb 2011 Posts: 7

I am an American in living in Japan. I have worked for the same company for four years, have a steady income, and have a considerable amount of savings. Never have I taken out a loan or indebted myself here or in America, nor have I failed to pay my taxes.

This said, I have applied for a credit card through five different Japanese credit companies and been rejected each time.

The worst is the JP bank (post office bank) in which I have all my savings. They clearly know my good financial situation but rejected me twice anyhow. It is so frustrating because I have to keep using my American credit card which I can only pay off through costly international bank transfers, plus I have the exchange rates to contend with.

I brought the matter up with some of my friends and a few said they applied in the past and were also rejected. And no foreigner I know has a Japanese card. I really think the creditors here are racist and will never issue a credit card to an outsider. Maybe I am wrong. Has anyone had success? If so please tell me the name of the credit company.

Bread · Joined: 24 May 2009 Posts: 318

Get yourself a legal alias like 田中太郎 or something and maybe they'll issue you a credit card without noticing you're a foreigner.

the4th2001 · Joined: 04 Oct 2010 Posts: 130 Location: Tokyo

Back in college, a couple of foreign classmates and I went down to the local Marui to apply for credit cards. Actually they applied and I just went with them for fun. Any way though, the received credit cards no problem. I also have a couple of friends that signed up and received American Express cards from Costco (Tamasakai branch).

Seeing that you mentioned the post office, a few months back my local post office kept on filling my mailbox with promises of gaijin friendly credit cards.

Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

ripslyme · Joined: 29 Jan 2005 Posts: 481 Location: Japan

3rd time was literally the charm for me. I had applied for VISA/MC cards at Marui and Parco to no avail. On a whim, a few months later applied for a MC at a local Yellow Hat - and got the card. A couple months after that I went back to Marui and applied for a VISA card - and got it too. Very Happy

Oh and my background info: This is my 3rd time living in Japan. In total I've been here for about 6 years, but only 2 years this time around.

Just keep applying, one of these outfits will approve you eventually. Wink

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

Mr. Fun wrote,

Great Teacher Umikun · Joined: 28 Mar 2004 Posts: 63 Location: Back in Japan

I heard somewhere that the only foreigners able to get credit cards are permanent residents, or did any non-permanent residents get one as well?

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

I've been here about 6 years this stint and have applied numerous times. Rejected every time. The real kicker however was being denied by my own bank after they promised me over the phone that there would be no problem getting approved.

I came in from Nagano to my home branch back in Tokyo specifically after telling them that I didn't want to make the journey for no reason. My secretary at my side, I must have been told 15 times that there would be no problem getting a card. My bank balance was more than enough to cover the montly limit, I had been here for years, had a good job, yada yada yada. 1 week later........rejected.

What I dont understand is this. The card I wanted needs you to pay off the balance every month. I had no problem with this. I didn't want to use it the way the average north american uses their cards, i.e run up a huge debt and pay it off over time. I just wanted it for renting cars, hotel reservations..things like that.

So there I was. At my own bank, having a balance in my account that more than covered the limit, having a job with a monthly salaray that more than covered the limit!! REJECTED.

I gave up after that. Confused

Mr. Fun · Joined: 14 Feb 2011 Posts: 7

Thanks for all the info everyone. I guess at this at this point Ill be happy to get a card from anywhere. Im thinking a gas station, or as someone wrote earlier, at YellowHat. If I know other people out there have them I dont feel as discouraged now.

move · Joined: 30 May 2009 Posts: 132

I've been rejected from opening a bank account, getting internet access and even Tsutaya's online service (even though I have a regular Tsutaya account). I had my friend look over all my documentation so I know it was correct. I think they see katakana in a name and just decide against it. Evil or Very Mad

A lot of time you won't get outright rejected, just slow f*****, please submit this paperwork, wait two more weeks, we didn't receive it, please send it again, etc etc.

Mr_Monkey · Joined: 11 Mar 2009 Posts: 661 Location: Kyuuuuuushuuuuuuu

I got one at the first time of asking along with J-COM cable internet.

I have a spouse visa, though - that might make a difference.

hagiwaramai · Joined: 24 May 2010 Posts: 119 Location: Marines Stadium

steki47 · Joined: 20 Apr 2008 Posts: 1029 Location: BFE Inaka

DoubleDare · Joined: 14 Apr 2010 Posts: 5

I got an NTT Visa card no problem (8% cash back on my phone and internet bill each month)

Hoser · Joined: 19 Mar 2005 Posts: 694 Location: Toronto, Canada

I've got a PARCO Saison VISA card. Got it the first time I applied. I had a 3 year visa but other than that I'm nothing special. I had a harder time getting a credit card in Canada than I did in Japan believe it or not!