Bank Card Application for Studying in Japan

Introduction

During my Master's program, I chose to study abroad in Japan and experienced the joy of being in the mecca of anime at all times, as well as the lifestyle in Japan. In order to live in Japan, obtaining a local bank card is a necessary step. However, online articles about obtaining bank cards are somewhat outdated, and I still encountered many obstacles during the process, such as changes in procedures and stricter eligibility requirements. Therefore, I have decided to summarize the current, correct process for obtaining a bank card.

Why Obtain a Japanese Bank Card

Having a Chinese bank card along with Alipay and WeChat is enough for the average traveler. However, once you start living here long-term, you will find that many essential life services are not supported by the Chinese travelling set-up. Here are some of the main reasons for obtaining a bank card.

Accessing Cash

Having a large amount of cash at home is not very safe, and there are many ATMs in Japan that allow you to withdraw cash at any time. Different times of the day may require fees, but generally during business hours on weekdays there are no fees.

Automatic Deduction of Utilities, Rent, Phone Bill and other Daily Living Expenses

The above expenses may not be supported by Chinese credit card payment, so it is necessary to bind a Japanese bank card to automatically deduct the fees. Otherwise, you can only find a way to pay with cash. In Japan, if you do not have a bank card bound to your payment, the recipient generally sends various bill requests by mail to your residence, and you need to take the request to a convenience store and pay with cash.

Cashless Payment

Carrying a large amount of low-value coins can be inconvenient and it's easy to lose them. To avoid this, you can download a Japanese payment app such as PayPay and link it to your Japanese bank card. Then you can make cashless payments. Most stores that accept card payments can also accept PayPay payments.

Credit Card Rewards

Using a credit card for shopping in Japan will result in points, which can be redeemed one-to-one (1 point = 1 yen). The amount of the redemption depends on the credit card, and there are many credit cards with permanent free annual fees that are very worthwhile.

The Preparation Work for Applying for a Bank Card

Materials required for applying for a bank card, regardless of which bank you apply to:

Residence Card

The Residence Card is a card similar to an ID card that is obtained with a passport with a Japan visa when entering the country. After arriving in Japan, it will be used for various procedures and passport is rarely needed.

Seal

A seal is equally important to a signature in Japan. Many transactions require a seal, so before handling other matters, it is necessary to make a seal. There are many seal shops in Japan that can customize seals, but if you are afraid of trouble, you can find a Don Quixote, which generally has automatic seal vending machines.

Japanese Address

In Japan, a Japanese address is required when applying for a bank card. This means you need to rent a house first, as the bank card will be delivered to you via mail.

Resident registration

In order for the back of your Resident Card to have a Japanese address, you must rent a house as soon as possible and then go to the ward office or city hall near your house to register as a resident. After registration, the staff will print your address on the back of your Resident Card.

Obtaining a "My Number Card" (Optional)

The "My Number Card" is a card in Japan similar to a national ID card. It can be used as a national health insurance card and can also be used to receive resident certificates at convenience stores. However, I think the biggest advantage of the My Number Card is that it can be used to bind payment software such as PayPay. Non-residents who have lived in Japan for less than 6 months must bind their My Number Card before they can bind their Japan Post Bank account (other banks cannot be used) to make cashless payments. In other words, except for this method, non-residents cannot use foreign bank cards for credit card payments and can only use cash.

Introduction to Bank Cards in Japan

One of the biggest differences between Japan and other countries is the existence of a Cash Card. Upon arrival in Japan, international students usually can only obtain cash cards and deposit books.

Deposit Book

A deposit book allows for deposits and withdrawals of cash, with the same functions as a deposit book in China.

Cash Card

The cash card is similar to a deposit book, with basic information such as the bank code, account type, account number, and account holder's name usually printed on it. It can only be used for cash deposits and withdrawals and cannot be used for payments.

Credit Card

Credit card, which can be used for card payments or cash withdrawals, but non-residents are generally not allowed to apply for one.

Debit Card

Except that it cannot be overdrafted, other functions are basically the same as credit cards.

Online Banking APP

You can directly check the balance on the APP or the bank's official website, operate transfers, bind third-party payment software, change personal information, etc., but non-residents are generally not allowed to log in to online banking.

Japan Post Bank allows the use of online banking, but transfers require expensive fees (3,000 yen per transaction).

Optional Banks and Handling Conditions

Common banks in Japan include Bank of Sumitomo Mitsui, Bank of Mitsubishi UFJ, Japan Post Bank and some online banks.

New to Japan

Generally, you can only apply for Japan Postal Bank Card, and other banks may be able to apply for cash cards, but only the Japan Postal Bank can use online banking software and bind third-party payment software.

The School Bank Card Activities

For example, the University of Tokyo will organize bank card activities during the start of semester, and students can directly apply for Mitsubishi UFJ or Sumitomo Mitsui Bank accounts on campus, but restrictions on non-residents still exist.

A very frustrating experience is that the Mitsubishi UFJ non-resident account I created cannot be transferred anywhere except the bank counter, so I paid the rent for the first six months at the bank counter.

Those Who Live For More Than Six Months

Internet banking restrictions are gone. Credit card and debit card applications are also gone. If you are a non-resident who has applied for a cash card before, you need to bring all the materials to the bank to go through the procedures for the transfer of residents.

There is no fee for the transfer-in procedure. Since it is not a routine procedure, it may take a long time to wait at the bank, but it can be used immediately after completing the procedure. You can also continue to apply for a debit card or credit card on the spot. You can also apply for credit cards from other merchants recommended on the Internet at this time, and the pass rate is significantly higher.

During the transfer-in procedure, you will generally be asked if you still need a deposit book. Since I applied when I was a non-resident, it is mandatory to attach a deposit book. Seriously, who still uses deposit books these days? There are also costs for using deposit books. They will return the deposit book to you, but it is no longer usable, and you can keep it as a souvenir or destroy it directly.

After Japan Post Bank successfully handles the transfer-in procedures, the transfer fee will be reduced to within 200 yen per transaction.

Development Trend

Japan's banking business is now developing towards the Internet. In addition to all kinds of speechless restrictions on non-residents, they are actually promoting a cashless life without deposit books. The staff will generally remind you that there is an additional fee for using a deposit book. The transfer fee for face-to-face transfers will be higher than that for online transfers. It is recommended that you use ATMs or APPs for transfers. So after six months, life became easier.