Can anyone pls. let me know Credit cards available in Japan.I am looking for something which has english support.
Thanks

Citibank is a good bet. They have some English support.

Also, American Express does to some degree.

Scott

Credit cards a bit different here, they're more like debit cards. Essentially you have a credit card but it has to debit the entire balance from your yen savings account each month.

Citibank is a good option. Their branch in Hiroo has excellent English speaking staff, and I understand that their branch in Asakusa does too.

Citibank also has an English-language on-line banking service.

That's a very good point to make, Alexandra.

Another detail to know is that, if you do get a credit card at Citibank, the administration of the credit card is handled by the card company (M/C or Visa) and not the bank staff. I have a Visa from them and have had some English support, but it's different than the bank.


FWIW

I am a bit concerned about Credit card safety in Japan. How safe/ unsafe it is to use credit card here online and to order stuff online from abroad like from US, Singapore etc. The credit card statements take a while to reach after someone charges you, so how one protects oneself from being unduly charged.

Seems as if you are talking about using your credit card from "home" - not a Japan-based card?

If you are talking about U.S. based ones, I would think (but don't know for sure) that they have more fraud protection built in. However, collecting on that from abroad msut be difficult.

There's no simple answer. Maybe being sure to only use cards that allow checking of the statement online? If you're concerned that an online merchant charges incorrectly, that would be one way to be on top of it.

One thing that makes online shopping tricky to track on your statement is that the name that appears on your statement is often completely different than what you saw when you made the purchase.

I made an Excel file with columns for things like date, amount, currency, online link, goods, etc. Keeping a detailed record of every purchase is important.

If you get into some disagreement with a merchant, keep detailed notes including names of people you talk to and what's said, etc.

Another common source of trouble ordering from overseas to Japan is surprisingly high shipping charges. Be very careful before you hit the final "purchase" button.

Get a program for grabbing the screen image or figure out how to print from your screen so you keep an accurate record of what you think you bought.

Any reputable merchant will immediately send a confirming email when you buy something. If you don't hear from them within 24 hours, be sure to follow up with your copy from the screen and all other detailed information. Don't wait a month or two and then say "I never got my stuff."

Hope this helps. Let us know if you have other specific concerns.

Scott

mina,

the following things should be taken care of while using credit cards on the internet anywhere in the world...

1) make sure your browser shows a little padlock near right bottom corner of the window... this means that the info you are sending and receiving is secured and is coming-going in encrypted form. the padlock should be in lock position.
2) use firewalls depending upon your internet connectivity and your operating system. this avoids trojens from setting up themselves on your machine.
3) never type the password and/or credit card number in presence of a stranger
4) never give any such important info even to your family on a chat or phone. email is safer...
5) after you have finished doing the transaction using the credit card over the net, close the window and ifthe computer is shared (in the office) log yourself off...
6) avoid carrying out such transactions from a cafe or a public computer terminals... like at the airports...
7) if you get stuck while doing the transaction do not seek anybody's help... just wait until you can speak to the credit card issuing authorities...

rule # 1 is the most important one... and we have been using the credit cards over the net for the countries like japan, india, singapore, america etc. if you follow these rules and use commomsense it should not be a problem... make sure nobody gets vital info from you under any case and you will be fine. but before al these also make sure your comp is virus and trojen free...

i can not think of more at the moment... if i can think up i'll surely post again...

trupti:)

Dear Scott and Trupti,

Thanks very much for your suggestions, I will follow these guidelines next time I shop online

Mina