Job Discussion Forums

[markle]

I would like to have the option of a piece of plastic for the transactions that require it. A bad experience in the late 90s leaves me wanting to avoid having an enticing credit card at hand to abuse.

A debit card sounds ideal but a bit of research has been inconclusive.
If you have one what kinds of headaches have you had? Does it have all of the convienience of credit without the monthly statement heartattack?

[JimDunlop2]

You have to be very specific in how you define a debit card. To a Canadian, a debit card means an ATM card -- nothing more.... Whereas my understanding of the American definition is more that of a card which has a VISA or MC symbol on it, and can be used as a credit card, but it's really a form of secured credit, as it is tied directly into your bank account -- almost in the form of a line of credit...

I'm assuming it's the latter that you are talking about....?

[ripslyme]

[Neongene]

In Canada we use a service called Interac which allows us to pay for anything with our debit cards. I don't use cash anymore, everything I use, eat, buy is done with a debit card. Its pretty secure cuase it limits what you can take out.

Does this technology exist in Japan. I was watching telly last night and saw a thing on daily planet about cell phones in Japan and how this dude was buying a train ticket, coffee and paper with just his cell phone. Do you know of this?

[ripslyme]

[canuck]

If you include the PiTaPa card system, then, "Yes." It's really convenient for multiple trains and subways and you can use it at convenience stores and other shops. However, I just use it for the trains. It's a little different that the classic debit card system, where money is withdrawn immediately. With the PiTaPa card, money comes out of your account six weeks later.

There are varying degrees of the PiTaPa card, some are credit card types, some aren't.

[Neongene]

[markle]

[JimDunlop2]

FWIW, most Japanese bank-issued ATM cards can do point-of-purchase transactions (i.e. direct debit). The system is called: J-Debit and it is exactly the same as the (Canadian) Interac system. It is relatively secure, but just like in Canada, you must be careful of scams like double-swiping and PIN theft... It's not the line of credit/debit system like American banks offer, unless of course you already have a line of credit set up with your bank... But it IS mighty convenient at times. I ALWAYS use it at the self-serve gas stations.

Look for THIS symbol:




If you have a Japanese ATM card, there is an excellent chance you can already use it.

MANY, many Japanese retailers offer this service. When I first learned of it, I was surprised in how many places I could actually use it. You learn to look for the symbol... HOWEVER, there are just as many places that boast the symbol but you can't use your card, because the staff has not been trained in how to use it so they flatly deny even having that payment option when asked (idiots)!. So individual mileage may vary but I will say for a fact that I haven't paid for a piece of electronics in Yamada Denki, Kojima, Nojima, and many others even ONCE using cash in the past three years -- I use direct debit in those places exclusively.

However, in the non-Canadian sense of the word, you are esentially looking for a secured credit card, and I'm not sure how easy/difficult they are to obtain in Japan for foreigners. I know that unsecured credit can be a bit of a hassle to get though.

[Eva Pilot]

I just have a savings card from my bank that allows me to take money out of an ATM.

That's not what you're after is it?

[markle]

[ripslyme]

[littleturtle]

http://www.yu-cho.japanpost.jp/e_s0000000/sc000100.htm

This would be what you are looking for.

Its from the post office.

[markle]

So to reiterate,

Does anyone actually have one (a plastic card that is used as a substitute for a credit card ie for transactions online or over the phone, or for hotel/rental car bookings, from a Japanese bank or financial institution)?

[ripslyme]