Many foreigners have come to live in Japan to study or work.
They will be the first to open a bank account because they will not be able to receive salary or make payments without first opening a bank account.
In addition, there are cases where credit cards cannot be issued immediately after arriving in Japan due to a lack of credit history in Japan.
If you go to the trouble of opening a bank account, it is by far more convenient to open a debit card with an international brand.
Of course, you can use it when you return to your own country!
So I'd like to introduce you to an international brand debit card with the same functionality as a credit card, which is a must for every gamer!
What is a debit card?
First of all, I would like to explain "what is a debit card?" I would like to explain.
Debit card with payment now
First of all, as you all know, credit cards are postpaid. The idea is to pay the amount spent in a month in a lump sum.
Although there is the advantage of being able to make payments in installments or revolving payments that can be spread out rather than lumped together, in most cases you will pay more than the actual amount used due to commissions and other fees.
Debit cards, however, are debited immediately from your bank account deposit at the time of payment.
It seems obvious to me that you pay what you buy at that moment This can only be done with a debit card.
What is a debit card anyway?
Debit cards are payment cards linked to bank accounts, and many debit cards with payment functions of the international brands "Visa, Mastercard, and JCB" have recently been issued.
A debit card is precisely a cash card with debit function of an international brand, but since the amount is debited from the deposit account immediately after payment is made, it is easier to imagine it as a credit card with immediate payment.
Regular credit cards are also usually paid for by bank account transfer to pay for credit card usage.
It's the difference between being debited at a later date and being debited immediately.
No screening required, even for those under 18 and foreigners!
Now that you understand how debit cards work, we would like to introduce you to the biggest advantages of debit cards.
It is an exaggeration to say the biggest, but the advantages of a debit card over a credit card are「No screening process for card issuance」, 「Can be issued to those under 18 years of age.」, 「Can be made even by foreigners with no credit history in Japan.」These are the three points!
Since the amount is deducted immediately from your bank account, you do not need to be screened and can be issued as long as you have a bank account.。
And while credit cards cannot be issued until you are at least 18 years old, debit cards can be issued as long as you are at least 15 or 16 years old!
I'd say any high school kid who likes to play video games already needs to get a debit card made!
The reason I stated 15 or 16 years of age or older is that some banks issuing debit cards may have slightly different requirements based on age, such as 15 years of age or older, 15 years of age or older (excluding junior high school students), or 16 years of age or older.
... Game lovers should have a debit card! Now that you know that you should have a debit card, here's our editorial team's independent opinion on which bank debit card is the best!
Sony Bank WALLET(Sony Bank Inc.)
The Sony Bank WALLET is the most recommended by the editorial department of the Sony Group, which is well-known for PlayStation!
- It's English-speaking and easy to use, even for those who don't speak Japanese well!
- 2% of your PlayStation Store spend back every month!
- Pay at the Sony Store and you automatically get 3% off your purchase!
- 0.5% to 2.0% cash back for spending outside of PS Store and Sony Store!
- Get 1,000 yen for a total of 5 domestic spending within Japan within 2 months of new issue!
Sony Bank Debit Card Details
| Bank | Sony Bank Inc. |
|---|---|
| Card Brand | Visa |
| Age | 15 years old and up (including junior high school students) |
| Card Designs | Normal cards: 3 types (There are also the Takashimaya Platinum Debit Card and the ANA Mileage Club Card, which are co-branded cards separate from the regular card.) |
| ATMs | Seven Bank ATMs, Aeon Bank ATMs, Lawson Bank ATMs, E-Net ATMs, Japan Post Bank ATMs, MUFG Bank ATMs, Sumitomo Mitsui Banking ATMs |
| Contactless | Visa Contactless Payments, Google Pay, Garmin Pay, Fitbit Pay |
| Insurance | Shopping insurance, unauthorized use coverage |
| Annual fee | No annual fee |
| URL | https://moneykit.net/visitor/sbw/ |
| SNS | Twitter:https://twitter.com/sonybank_jp Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/sonybank_jp/ Facebook:https://fb.com/sonybank.jp |
Many holders in the Saiga NAK as well.
Sony Bank also issues the Sony Bank WALLET debit card, an ANA co-branded debit card that earns ANA mileage, and the Takashimaya Platinum Debit Card, which has platinum card specifications.
LAN Cableman also uses the Sony Bank WALLET, which is affiliated with ANA, and the author has also been using the Sony Bank WALLET since it was first issued.
(No Visa Contactless Payments yet due to initial issuance...)
Although it is an online bank, its deposit balance is at the top level and is competitive with major banks.
It's a favorite of our editors for its convenience as a bank as well as its debit card function!
It is also compatible with Google Pay and QR code payments such as PayPay and Rakuten Pay, making it the best debit card in the cashless society!
Rakuten Bank Debit Card(Rakuten Bank, Ltd.)
Rakuten Bank Debit Card, where you can earn zillion Rakuten Points! Save more than anywhere else with Rakuten Group services!
- Choice of three card brands (Visa, Mastercard, and JCB)
- Earn 1 Rakuten point per 100 yen spent!
- You can get a silver or gold card with full services if you pay an annual fee!
Rakuten Bank Debit Card Details
| Bank | Rakuten Bank, Ltd. |
|---|---|
| Card Brand | Visa, Mastercard, JCB |
| Age | 16 years old and up |
| Card Designs | Visa: 1 type x 3, JCB: 2 types, Mastercard: 1 type |
| ATMs | Seven Bank ATMs, Aeon Bank ATMs, Lawson Bank ATMs, E-Net ATMs, Patsat, Japan Post Bank ATMs, MUFG Bank ATMs, Sumitomo Mitsui Banking ATMs, Mizuho Bank ATMs |
| Contactless | Visa Contactless Payments, Mastercard Contactless Payments, JCB Contactless |
| Insurance | Rakuten Bank Debit Card (Visa, Mastercard, JCB): None Rakuten Bank Silver Debit Card: Shopping Insurance Rakuten Bank Gold Debit Card: Domestic/International Travel Accident Insurance, Shopping Insurance |
| Annual fee | Rakuten Bank Debit Card (Visa, Mastercard, JCB): No annual fee Rakuten Bank Gold Debit Card (Visa): 5,500 yen (including tax) Rakuten Bank Silver Debit Card (Visa): 2,200 yen (including tax) |
| URL | https://www.rakuten-bank.co.jp/debit-card/ |
| SNS | Twitter:https://twitter.com/RakutenBK_now |
Many holders in Saiga NAK
Rakuten Bank has the most users among online banks in Japan with 9 million accounts opened.
Rakuten offers the largest number of international brands of debit cards, and if you are a Rakuten user, I think it's a good idea to get a debit card!
It may be a good idea to use the "Sony Bank WALLET" for PS Store purchases and the "Rakuten Bank Debit Card" for use at Rakuten Ichiba.
The author and LAN Cable Man are also held by Saiga NAK as well as the "Sony Bank WALLET".
Miraino Debit(SBI Sumishin Net Bank, Ltd.)
You can get a platinum card if you pay the annual fee!
- Choice of two card brands, Visa and Mastercard
- 0.6~1.0% point redemption rate, but frequent double point campaigns are held
- Platinum card with high quality service can be issued!
Details of SBI Sumishin Net Bank Debit Card
| Bank | SBI Sumishin Net Bank, Ltd. |
|---|---|
| Card Brand | Visa, Mastercard |
| Age | 15 years old and up (including junior high school students) |
| Card Designs | Visa: 3 types, Mastercard: 1 type x 2 |
| ATMs | Seven Bank ATMs, Aeon Bank ATMs, Lawson Bank ATMs, E-Net ATMs, VIEW ALTTE, Japan Post Bank ATMs |
| Contactless | Visa Contactless Payments, Mastercard Contactless Payments |
| Insurance | General card: None Platinum card: Shopping insurance, overseas travel accident insurance, insurance for mobile terminals (insurance for repair costs of telecommunication terminals) |
| Annual fee | General card: No annual fee Platinum card: 11,000 yen (including tax) |
| URL | https://www.netbk.co.jp/contents/lineup/debitcard/ |
| SNS | Twitter:https://twitter.com/sumishinsbi Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/sumishinsbi/ |
Many holders in Saiga NAK
As a bank, it is neither good nor bad. The only feature is that it is one of the few cards that allow you to have a Platinum Card if you pay an annual fee.
Compared to Sony Bank and Rakuten Bank, the benefits among the group are biased toward finance and insurance, so those who are not interested in investments and the like are less attractive, but SBI e-Sports Inc. has been established and entered the e-sports business, and perhaps there will be synergies with e-sports in the future?
The author and LAN Cableman also hold this card within Saiga NAK, and when asked why LAN Cableman issued it, he said, Because it was "the first Mastercard debit card in Japan".
Now Rakuten Bank Debit Card can issue Mastercard, so if you want Mastercard, you have two choices: Miraino Debit or Rakuten Bank Debit Card!
I'll take one of those debit cards!
These are the debit cards that Saiga NAK members own & use and recommend, but even if you have a credit card, it is convenient to have one debit card.
If you are worried about overspending, a debit card will prevent you from overspending.
Recently, few people return home or travel abroad due to travel restrictions caused by the new coronavirus, but with a debit card, you can withdraw local currency directly from a local ATM.
LAN Cableman often stayed in various countries for long periods of time, but since he did not have a cash advance on his credit card, he used a debit card to withdraw cash for his living.
Above all, the rate is better than that of exchange offices and totally more economical than exchanging cash.
Even if you have a credit card, it is a good idea to have one debit card.
Of course, if you don't have either a credit or debit card, make one now!