Banking

A complete guide to getting a credit card in Japan as a foreign national — the four most foreigner-friendly cards (Rakuten Card, EPOS Card, SAISON Card, Aeon Card), approval requirements, how to build a Japanese credit score, and a comparison of credit vs. debit cards.

Step-by-step guide to registering for PayPay in Japan as a foreign national — eligibility, phone number requirements, identity verification, how to top up with a Japanese bank account or convenience store cash, scanning QR codes, and solutions for common issues like unreceived verification codes and locked accounts.

A complete guide to sending money internationally from Japan — comparing Wise, Revolut, and traditional banks, with real fee examples for sending JPY to popular destination currencies.

A complete guide to withdrawing cash in Japan with a foreign debit or credit card — which ATMs accept international cards, step-by-step instructions for 7-Eleven ATMs, a full fee breakdown, how to minimize costs with Wise, and solutions for common problems like swallowed cards and Japanese-only interfaces.

A comprehensive comparison of the top banks in Japan for expats — Japan Post Bank (ゆうちょ銀行), MUFG, Rakuten Bank, Sony Bank, and SBI Sumishin Net Bank. Covers account difficulty, ATM fees, international remittance costs, English-language support, and the best account combination strategy.

A step-by-step guide to opening a bank account in Japan as a foreign national — which banks are most foreigner-friendly, required documents, the 6-month residency rule, in-branch and online application processes, and tips for getting set up in your first week.