Getting A Credit Card

[NickW]

I would really strongly doubt it -- bunkatsubarai is still credit, and I'm almost certain such purchases come off your credit limit as a whole at the time you make them.

[PageOne]

Sorry, but no Multiple Repayment

Below from Ebank Visa Debit Card : Terms of Agreement

※「1回払い」以外の支払方法を選択された場合も、「1 回払い」扱いとなります。 <----- (in RED, no less)

It says even if you choose a multi-repayment (upon using the card) the transaction will become a single payment.
You could not complain about this even if the shop handled a transaction for multi repayment as the above is
outlined within the terms of agreement and you would have to or would have had to agree with the above term before receiving an Ebank Visa Debit Card.

Still the Visa payment function is welcome.
However as the card's name points out it is a debit card not a credit card.

[jarjarbinks]

I got my UFJ credit card during my second year in japan. I was rejected by Mizuho first, then I applied to UFJ with my ex's okaasan, she had a long talk with the representative, which I thought would probably backfire, but it didn't I was a student and getting about half your salary as a scholarship.

[marcotokyo]

I started another similar thread a few months back, but since this one is more current, I will respond in here.

After been rejected by three japanese card companies in the last year and a half, my recommendation is- Citibank.

One week after opening an account, the card is in my hands.

Im an assistant manager/administrator for a Japanese company, have been with them three years plus, and been in Japan total going on eight years now. I have no debt, no unpaid bills, the same apartment now for 4 years plus, a good salary.


I first tried through my bank a year ago (Mitsubishi UFJ)- they couldnt even be bothered sending me a rejection letter.

About four months back, I tried through the post office- got a nice letter rejecting me, then about a month ago I tried at Softbank, since they were basically pushing it on me- fail there too.

Citibank- one week. At each attempt, I had a regular salary coming in, and savings.

What does this tell you about the Japanese system? Its definitely not gaijin friendly I can say that for sure. I have been made to jump through ridiculous hoops only to be turned down in the end.

Reading through the various experiences, there seems to be no real sure way to get serviced.

With Citibank, I would suggest that you have some money to put into an account, and basically follow their recommendations as to which card is best at the moment. Japanese language ability does help. The one I have ended up with is a Gold card, with the first year service fee waived (and the yearly fee is pretty reasonable anyway).

To sum up- be patient.

Cheers,

[let`s talk]

I first tried through my bank a year ago (Mitsubishi UFJ)- they couldnt even be bothered sending me a rejection letter.

Mitsubishi charge 14% if you wish to withdraw cash from your credit card (issued by Mitsubishi) when you are abroad. 14% ! Wtf! Yakuza. But when you shop- 0%. Anyway, I don`t recommend them.

Seconded about Citibank.

[nawlinsgurl]

My Epos visa charges 14% on cashing and I just called tonight and asked to do "re-bo", which they agreed to with no problem. So I don't have to pay all at once anymore.

I recommend Epos.

[Beach Bum]

I recommend a Credit Union vice a bank if you have access to one.

[ViktorG]

I went to Marui yesterday and tried to sign up for the epos card; previously I've only applied to a credit card once, through my gym, but that was denied (probably because I had only been in Japan for two month at the time). This time went much better, with some trouble filling out the forms (my girlfriend and I agreed that it's probably best if I write everything) I was approved, although with (I guess) the lowest credit limit (100 000 yen). Can't blame them though, I've only been here for a year and lived in my current apartment for less time than that. Anyway, I'm just glad I was approved, I guess they will raise the limit eventually if I start using the card frequently and prove to them I have no problem paying.

[Flywalker]

If you want a credit card, let me know. l have a friend who works at Rakuten and ith his help it should be easy. Just PM me and we can get the ball rolling! Rakutn will even give you a 5,000 yen voucher!

[Bonjo]

There is a white and orange/yellow envelope available at Family Mart for anyone wanting a credit card. You get a 500 yen Quo Card if you fill it out...not too difficult only one page in Japanese.

[ひさしぶり]

I've tried twice at my bank UFJ to get a credit card and once at Citibank, to no avail. I've been working/living in Japan for 4 years and I don't have any debt... I'm earning around Y300,000 per month and don't have any expenses. I can't understand why I can't get one!?Has anyone had any luck with other banks?
Cheers

[Asutorinikki]

Rakuten card is easy to get.
http://rakuten.japanese-credit-card.com/

[Jemuel]

Can I ask how many weeks do I have to wait after applying for a credit card?

[BackDoor_Man]

Can I ask how many weeks do I have to wait after applying for a credit card?

With Rakuten normally two to three weeks, but I got mine in one week after the woman called and spoke with me in Japanese. I have PR so that might have made a difference!

[outkast]

Got mine (Rakuten, then Delta Skymiles Amex after being accepted by Rakuten) with spouse visa. Had been rejected by other places for the last three years, but waited 6 months to let my record clear, and applied with 2+ years at current job and residency. For people trying, show stability however you can. Wait to change jobs or move until after getting that first card.

[Effected After]

Sorry, but I have to disagree. It took me six or seven years to get my first credit card here. I applied to a few companies after having been at the same company for five years, with a salary that was well above the average salary for Japanese people of my age, with a landline phone (which Japanese people say matters), and I was still denied. There was no other reason to deny me than because I was a foreigner.

That said, not all companies are like this - I did eventually get one, after only a year or two at the company I was in at that time. Though I was making even more than at the other company, so in this case your theory may hold up.

[Effected After]

You could be the worst risk in the world, but if you have a pile of cash, that's what the Card companies will see. I'm not referring to your hypothetical future earnings potential.

And neither was I. As I said, when I first applied, I was in a stable position, for five years, making a significant amount more than the average salary for people in my age range. I knew a number of Japanese people in my company who were making significantly less than I, who had received the same credit cards that I was denied for.

[outkast]

And neither was I. As I said, when I first applied, I was in a stable position, for five years, making a significant amount more than the average salary for people in my age range. I knew a number of Japanese people in my company who were making significantly less than I, who had received the same credit cards that I was denied for.

And of course, I'm sure some card companies are just going to be a-holes no matter how stable/rich a foreigner looks. Get in where you can, and then go after that card you wanted after you're in the club.


When I first started working, I tried I don't know how many times to get the J-Post Visa card since they were my only bank at the time. Now that I've been using Rakuten Bank for a while with their much, much higher savings interest rates and incentive programs (J-post's best incentive program is that it closes even its online banking during Golden Week, etc., so it's "incentive" not to rely on their sorry selves in an emergency), J-Post just pays my NHI and water bill. Sorry guys... Can't say I didn't try with them. Moral of the story is that Rakuten card along with the airline Amex it led to give tons of rewards for using/keeping them, and the J-Post card I originally anguished over doesn't do much of anything (their JCB card is better though, only because it's linked to JCB).

Before you worry too much over trying and failing continuously at one company's card, it might help to wait the 6 month period and hit another company. The insanely difficult ones (for foreigners) like Sumitomo aren't necessarily actually worth the trouble.

[SometimesJustMe]

Moral of the story is that Rakuten card along with the airline Amex it led to give tons of rewards for using/keeping them, and the J-Post card I originally anguished over doesn't do much of anything (their JCB card is better though, only because it's linked to JCB).

Before you worry too much over trying and failing continuously at one company's card, it might help to wait the 6 month period and hit another company. The insanely difficult ones (for foreigners) like Sumitomo aren't necessarily actually worth the trouble.

Interesting. I got turned down for an Amex late last year and it was the first time to be turned down for a card here in a decade or so. Everyone else has approved me, and Sumitomo had no problems with me as they hooked me up with a card a few months after the Amex issue.

Amex specifically told me I couldn't reapply with them for a year too. Not that I ever will be again, as the Sumitomo card covers the same bases the Amex would have.

[zmcnulty]

My track record is mixed:

1. Rakuten Debit - Obviously approved since it's not a credit card. I needed something with a Visa logo on it, so got this first. The point system used to be awesome, 1% cash back on anything. Not so awesome anymore, it's horribly convoluted now.
2. Bic Camera Suica Visa - Applied twice, once by mail and once in-store. Rejected twice.
3. JR View Suica Visa - Approved. Wanted this for auto-recharging Suica (since I have an iPhone, thus no Felica). Unfortunately they don't support auto-withdrawals from Rakuten Bank so I have to manually furikomi into my Shinsei account every month to pay it off. But still worth it.
4. Rakuten Premium Card - Approved, wanted this for Edy and the free airport lounges+free luggage shipping+etc. Luckily they take this right out of my Rakuten Bank account, and they give 1% points for everything, so this will probably replace my debit card anywhere JCB is accepted.

I also got some Marui Visa card at one point for 2000 yen off a pair of shoes, never used it again.

[soasin]

Hello there guys! I'm new to this forum, and also new to this country
I was able to come here because my wife has permanent residence visa. I have a 1 year visa and will be renewing this coming middle of september 2012. I am about 7 months on my Job now.
And I just applied a credit card from Aeon Jusco yesterday. My wife is my translator because I know very little nihonggo yet. And they said that someone will call on my cellphone to interview me about my credit card application. I just want to know what they will be asking me for the interview? because I can't barely speak and understand japanese, and I just want to be prepared and might as well practice what they will ask me, so I can answer some of the questions.

I badly need a credit card, also I will use it to buy some low off set wheels from the US for my car, because I will be going to the Hellaflush event on Fuji Speed way this coming October, for me to be ready lol any help and tips will be greatly appreciated.

Cheers!

[outkast]

I don't know about the Aeon card specifically, but verification calls typically confirm your name, address, phone number, and maybe work details (company name, phone number, etc.). They basically want to 1) make sure you're a real person and not a scammer making cards in dead people's names, etc. and 2) in a foreigner's case, make sure you can even communicate with them before turning you loose with a bunch of money. Understand that you haven't gotten far enough with you Japanese yet, but at least try to seem like you understand what they are saying to you (by studying up on how to say the above info). Fake it 'til you make it...

[ext23]

dudes, i need a credit card just to pay for this b-mobile SIM card i bought from yodobashi. it's retarded, but the ONLY payment option is by credit card. no furikomi, no automatic debit, certainly no cash.

i'm on a student visa. ie. only 1 year and little/no income right now.

from reading this thread, it sounds like everybody is gonna flat-out turn me down, or at the very least it's gonna take 6 months to get approved.

any suggestions?

[themoonrules]

dudes, i need a credit card just to pay for this b-mobile SIM card i bought from yodobashi. it's retarded, but the ONLY payment option is by credit card. no furikomi, no automatic debit, certainly no cash.

i'm on a student visa. ie. only 1 year and little/no income right now.

from reading this thread, it sounds like everybody is gonna flat-out turn me down, or at the very least it's gonna take 6 months to get approved.

any suggestions?

There are over a dozen different types of B-mobile cards, some are prepaid and some are post-paid. The post-paid versions require an account, however the prepaid versions you can pay with cash all upfront. Exactly, which bmobile one are you trying to get?

[ksnasi lurker]

I don't know about the Aeon card specifically, but verification calls typically confirm your name, address, phone number, and maybe work details (company name, phone number, etc.). They basically want to 1) make sure you're a real person and not a scammer making cards in dead people's names, etc. and 2) in a foreigner's case, make sure you can even communicate with them before turning you loose with a bunch of money. Understand that you haven't gotten far enough with you Japanese yet, but at least try to seem like you understand what they are saying to you (by studying up on how to say the above info). Fake it 'til you make it...

Many posters have said PR helps to get a card. But no-one refers to the fact that having PR or not having PR is not mentioned on the application forms. So how do they know if you've got PR or not? (A driving licence, the most common form of ID required, doesn't prove PR - neither does a passport these days).