Learn about the Top 5 things you need to know about credit cards in Japan
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| Talking Japanese Culture, Season 1, Lesson 19 – |
| Top 5 Things You Need to Know About Credit Cards in Japan |
| [INTRO] |
| Hello, and welcome to JapanesePod101.com. |
| I’m Eric. |
| In this lesson we will talk about the “Top 5 Things You Need to Know About Credit Cards in Japan”. |
| === |
| The first topic (on the list) is about credit card (J: kurejitto kādo) usage in Japan. |
| As of March 2014, there were some 300 million |
| credit cards in circulation in Japan. |
| But the reality is that cash still plays a dominant role |
| for many transactions, and there are far fewer |
| people using credit cards in Japan than in other |
| countries. |
| In fact, data for 2014 shows that people used |
| credit cards for only 18 percent of their total |
| spending in Japan, compared to the United |
| States where credit card and debit card |
| shopping accounted for more than half of |
| total spending. |
| === |
| The next topic (on the list) is about reward points (J: pointo), a popular incentive program where a |
| percentage of the amount spent is paid back to |
| the card holder. |
| Given that the return average of Japanese credit |
| cards is 0.5 percent, we can say that any cards |
| offering 1 percent or more rewards should be |
| seen as attractive. |
| Some of the major credit cards known for offering |
| higher reward rates are “Recruit card Plus” (J: Rikurūto Kādo Purasu) and “Life Card” (J: Raifu Kādo). |
| === |
| The next topic (on the list) is about airline credit |
| cards and frequent flyer miles. |
| If you fly often with ANA, then an “ANA American |
| Express Card” (J: ANA Amerikan Ekisupuresu Kādo) would be the best choice, |
| because with this card, you can get an extra 10 |
| percent of the miles you earn every time you fly with them. |
| This card also lets you earn ANA Frequent Flyer |
| Miles as you top up your “Suica” e-money card. |
| Meanwhile, the “JAL Card” (J: Jaru Kādo) is a must-have if you are a frequent flyer on JAL, because this card lets you |
| earn miles for every 100 yen spent at partner |
| stores. |
| === |
| The next topic (on the list) is about credit cards with special shopping deals. |
| Before signing up for a credit card, try checking out if the shops you go to often have their own credit cards. |
| For instance, if you often shop at Aeon shopping malls, then the “Aeon Card” (J: Ion Kādo) is the best choice, because the card offers you shopping insurance as well as special discounts when you shop at Aeon and its affiliated stores. |
| If you like online shopping, take a look at the “Rakuten Card” (J: Rakuten Kādo). With zero annual membership fee, you can get double reward points whenever you purchase things at the Rakuten online shopping mall. |
| === |
| The last topic is about credit cards with the Pasmo or Suica e-money function. |
| If you often use e-money such as PASMO or SUICA, then you might want to consider combining those functions with a credit card to help you earn more reward points. |
| For example, if you travel often with ANA airlines, then you might want to have an “ANA VISA SUICA Card” because it lets you earn more ANA miles as you use Suica e-money. |
| === |
| That’s all we have for this lesson. |
| Getting a yen-based credit card will surely make your life easier in Japan, but you should do a little bit of research before choosing one, because there are pros and cons for each. |
| Do you have any experience getting a Japanese credit card? |
| Leave us a comment and let us know! |
| Thanks for listening and we’ll see you next time. Bye! |
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