Credit Card
It’s convenient to have at least one Japanese credit card which can be settled in Yen. You can use credit cards at restaurants, airports, shopping malls, supermarkets, and direct debit payments for cellphone or utility vendors like the electric company. However, some small shops and restaurants don’t accept credit cards.
The credit card company will conduct a screening process at the time of application. Card companies have their own method of screening and it’s not disclosed. We recommend you apply for one after you have a cellphone since the application form has a category for cellphone numbers. We will help you fill out an application form since their homepage and applications are usually all in Japanese.
Since you are not allowed to use your start-up fund to buy travel insurance, please consider a gold credit card which usually has enhanced amenity services including travel insurance as an option. The annual fee for a gold credit card is usually more than 10,000yen. However, it is worth it if you plan to buy stand-alone travel insurance for your overseas business trips, and you expect to have at least two each year. Please consult Support Desk or Team IPMU if you can’t decide which company’s credit card you want.