What is a gaijin friendly credit card company in Japan? -

I m looking to obtain a visa or mastercard credit card in Japan. Where can I go to get a credit card easily in Japan?

Japanese financial institutions are very untrusting of non-Japanese customers. I found it impossible to get a credit card for the first three years that I was here. The bank told me that they didn t make the decision - simply my credit rating didn t meet their requirements. I purchased a copy of my credit rating and found that it was a blank sheet. I have heard some foreigners say that it s easier to get a Visa card if you have a Post Office account - and get the Visa card associated with that Post office account. I also hear that Shinsei Bank is somewhat friendlier to foreign customers than most major banks. Another option to consider is CitiBank. They have branches in Tokyo. Beware -- Citibank requires customers to maintain a minimum balance in your current account in order to avoid account fees. That could become expensive.

Most young people I know (foreigners included) have an SMBC youth card or Amex. I think it is a misconception that people are being rejected on the basis of their nationality. The reality is, it is not difficult for a foreigner to get a credit card as long as they actually have significant credit. While there are programs such as libo-barai and such that let you split up your payments, you generally are expected to pay your entire balance each month on time. Thus, they re not going to extend out more credit than you make each month. If you make less than a certain amount, it s almost impossible to get a card whether you are Japanese or foreign. I have also heard that it is easier if you work in certain quot;stablequot; lines of work (they require you to disclose your company information). Shinsei is an extremely foreign-friendly institution, but does not have its own credit card. They do, however, have a program that makes it convenient for account holders to apply for an Amex card. From what I can see, it is getting easier and easier to obtain a credit card as credit cards are becoming more commonplace. It used to be that few locals could get credit cards, and not so long ago, many stores did not even take credit cards. (Some still don t, but it s definitely improved since I was a kid.)

I got refused for a Saison MasterCard and lots of other cards. Finally JCB Viaggio gave me a card gave me a card after I bought a holiday to Hawaii through an affiliated travel agent. A few months later Saison MasterCard accepted my application and now I have two cards. I think the way to do it get the card at the same time as a large purchase. Or try JCB independently first. You do have a japanese bank account, don t you? btw you have to clear Japanese credit card each month. There s not much quot;creditquot; with Japanese credit cards.

Open your bank account first. Then the bank will let you know the way to proceed to get one of credit cards for you. You won t choose any card. The creditability of you will be chosen by the card company.

Start from debit card. http://www.surugabank.co.jp/my/debit/ind... You can charge money at 7eleven and Post office.

Citibank