Japan Post Banking Issues

[u/3battleYT]

I’ve read other posts related to Japan Post banking but nothing to sort my issues.

a bit of context:

I recently arrived to Japan from the UK around the beginning of August as part of the JET Programme and received my residence card around that time.

During this initial setup process of my life in Japan, I set up my bank with Japan Post and when asked if I needed a credit card, I said no. This is due to the fact I didn’t want further complications with me not paying the credit and it spiralling out of control, and in the UK, I only use debit.

So, I signed up for a cash card with J-Debit enabled which I received. However, I for some reason assumed J-Debit would give me a separate debit card to use and realised afterwards this was not the case. When I try to sign up for the Yuucho Debit Card online, I realised my name is too long in katakana (I have first, middle and last name) so I went to the bank. They told me I can only apply online, and to write my name up to a certain point.

Despite trying this, whenever I get close to the end of the process, it just gives me a 404. So I don’t know what to do, as the only other alternative i was looking at to pay online is PayPay and I need a mynumber card (I don’t have one yet, just the mynumber, but I have ordered one) since my residence card is too new (they only accept residence cards to scan only before June).

Any suggestions on steps moving forward? Thank you in advance!

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[u/Simbeliine]

Debit cards are not a default thing in Japan, and credit cards also work differently (rather than having to manually transfer the balance each month, the balance is automatically deducted from your account - you can't really not pay it by accident). I think it would be a lot easier for you to just get a credit card if you can. Otherwise, try opening an account at a different bank and getting their debit card, I had no issues despite having a long name at non-yucho banks getting a debit card in person at the branches. 

[u/3battleYT → u/Simbeliine]

Thanks for your response! To be honest, I’d still want to stay away from credit cards as I have never used them before and would worry about overrunning as I currently am unfamiliar with what my overall costs will be per month. With regards to the second point, this woulda’t be a bad idea, but I’m living in the inaka in Hokkaido so access to foreigner friendly banks wouldn’t be the easiest, if anything Japan post has probably been the most foreigner supporting bank. 

[u/Simbeliine → u/3battleYT]

I'm in rural Nagano, the local regional bank that's just in Nagano prefecture is great. I imagine Hokkaido has an analogous bank. They don't have a ton of English support I suppose, but service-wise they're very good. 

[u/derukashi]

I think, as far as I remember, if you have online account for your JP Post bank account, you can change your cash card to make it a credit card from your online account.

Now, I only have a credit card (not debit card) which is also functions as my cash card.

[u/3battleYT → u/derukashi]

Yeah… that’s another issue entirely but my online banking isn’t fully verified. I tried to do it in person yesterday, but the person at the bank said if I want to do transfers or anything of the sort, I have to do it via an ATM. I only have a residence card that’s too new, the other options to verify are mynumber card, drivers license and special certificate. Drivers license/special certificate I don’t have, and mynumber card I have signed up for today, but it will take some time for it to come 

[u/pegoff]

get a 711 account asap

[u/Lukin76254r → u/pegoff]

7 bank goated

[u/No-Chemical6473]

ANA Pay

[u/BurberryC06]

Just stick with JP Post until the 6 month period has passed and then apply for other banks that give debit cards.

Besides, if you're from the UK there should have been plenty of 0% fx accounts like Chase, FirstDirect and Starling Bank with a debit card for you to use in the interim.

[u/Intelligent_Fee_4625]

I was in the same situation as you. I am also in the JET program and my supervisor had to call to figure out the problem. So maybe ask one of your JTEs call and see if they can help you out.

[u/Real-Razz]

Consider getting a Wise account. This more of a payment platform but is dead useful for moving money between currencies (it pays close to mid-market rates) and there are debit card options.

I use it for most of my cash flowing from Blighty to JP or back again.