Foreigners

Japan is still a cash-heavy country, and finding an ATM that actually accepts your foreign card is not as simple as it sounds. The wrong ATM will decline you at the most inconvenient moment. Here’s exactly which ATMs work for foreigners and how to use them. Which ATMs Accept Foreign Cards? ✅ 7-Eleven ATMs (Seven Bank) — Best Option Seven Bank ATMs are the most foreigner-friendly in Japan. Accept: Visa, Mastercard, American Express, UnionPay, and most international cards Languages: English, Chinese, Korean, and more Available: 24/7 at most 7-Eleven stores (27,000+ locations nationwide) Withdrawal limit: ¥50,000 per transaction, ¥300,000 per day Fee: ¥110–220 per transaction (charged by Seven Bank) plus any fee from your home bank Seven Bank ATMs are found in 7-Eleven convenience stores and at some Ito-Yokado, Sogo, and Seibu department stores. ...

Quick Answer Best banks for foreigners in Japan: Japan Post Bank (most accessible — accepts new arrivals, branches everywhere), Rakuten Bank (best online bank, links to Rakuten Card for rewards), Sony Bank (English support, good exchange rates), SBI Shinsei Bank (English interface, no ATM fees abroad). Most banks require at least 3–6 months of Japan residency. If you can’t open a bank account yet, use Wise — no Japan residency requirement, real exchange rate, works immediately. ...

Visa sponsorship is the gateway to working legally in Japan — and finding employers willing to sponsor is the challenge most foreign job seekers underestimate. The right approach, the right industries, and the right platforms make it achievable. Here’s how to find visa-sponsoring employers in Japan. What Is Visa Sponsorship in Japan? When a Japanese company hires a foreign national, they must apply to the Immigration Services Agency to obtain a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) on the employee’s behalf. This process — often called “sponsoring” a work visa — typically takes 1–3 months and requires the employer to submit paperwork confirming the job role, salary, and company details. ...

Quick Answer Best credit cards for foreigners in Japan: Rakuten Card (free, ¥5,000 bonus, most foreigner-friendly — apply after 6+ months in Japan), Epos Card (apply in-store at Marui for faster approval), SAISON Card (no annual fee, flexible). You need: residence card, Japanese address registered at city hall, Japanese bank account. Initial credit limits are low (¥100,000–300,000). If rejected, use the Wise debit card as a substitute — no credit check, works worldwide. ...

LinkedIn works in Japan — but it works differently here than in most Western countries, and using it the wrong way means getting no response from recruiters. A few adjustments to your approach can dramatically improve your results. Here’s how to use LinkedIn effectively for job searching in Japan. Why LinkedIn Works in Japan Unlike many Asian countries where local job platforms dominate, LinkedIn is genuinely used by: Foreign companies with Japan offices (tech, finance, consulting, FMCG) Large Japanese corporations with international divisions Headhunters and recruiters who specialize in placing foreign talent Startup founders building bilingual teams Most roles that actively welcome non-Japanese speakers are posted on LinkedIn. Traditional Japanese platforms (Rikunabi, MyNavi) are largely in Japanese and targeted at Japanese graduates. ...