While no one chooses to have a bad credit score, it can still make life quite difficult. However, there’s no reason for too much worry, as there are many credit cards you can apply for in Japan that will help you fix your bad financial history.
To that end, we’re introducing the three best Japanese credit cards to help you improve bad credit and rebuild your score. In most cases, you will not have to pay an annual fee and will have a 0% APR on any purchases, in addition to having good credit limits and a variety of perks and discounts available to you.
Is Getting Another Credit Card to Fix Bad Credit a Smart Decision?
Yes, it is. Despite Japan being known as a society that prefers cash, credit cards are becoming the most popular method of payment in Japan, with each adult having between 2 and 3 cards already. (1) It’s true that you may need cash in smaller city convenience stores, shrines, castles, and temples, but a credit card is a must in any larger Japanese city such as Osaka or Tokyo, especially if you need to do any online shopping. Apart from that, making regular payments on your credit card is the best way to improve your credit score.
Nicos VIASO MasterCard (2)
Those in need of a credit card to cover simple, everyday needs should consider the Nicos VIASO MasterCard. This credit card comes from Mitsubishi UFJ NICOS Co., Ltd and has the highest score because it covers up to 2 million yen for shopping and 20 million yen for accidents abroad through its insurance.
For some, the most appealing aspect of this credit card is that you don’t have to pay an annual fee just for having one. Furthermore, this VIASO card gives you 5 regular points per every 1,000 yen spent and then turns collected points at a 1:1 ratio. Those that apply online correctly for this card, will get additional bonus offers once they become a customer. In general, this card from Nicos VIASO MasterCard ranks excellently thanks to impeccable customer service, bonuses, pricing, and availability.
Capital One® VentureOne® Rewards Credit Card (3)
The VentureOne Rewards credit card is a no annual fee card that also doesn’t charge any foreign transaction fees, while giving you 1.25x on miles, making it easily one of the most popular credit cards in Japan. There’s a 0% APR period in-force for the first 12 months on all purchases, and a variable APR between 13.74% and 23.47% afterward. Of course, that’s not all, since this Capital One credit card has additional bonuses. Namely, 20,000 bonus miles when opening an account, which only requires you to spend $1,000 within the first 90 days.
Rakuten Card [4]
Convenience is what makes the Rakuten Card so popular, as it can be used abroad, but it also comes with quite a few benefits. For example, you are not charged an annual membership fee for the first few years, earning points is quick, and the card is very reliable and secure. In addition, there’s a sign-up bonus totaling 2,000 points for all new customers called bonus 1. A second bonus, aptly named bonus 2, gives you 5,000 points in total. All points are received after 20 months of card use.
The above-mentioned convenience of the Rakuten credit card comes into play when you realize that you can get a WiFi / Mobile Router rental with a 20% off as a member of the club. Besides that, members traveling abroad to Hawaii can use the company lounge free of charge. Lastly, travelers can also snag a baggage handling bonus when they show their card and save as much as 300 yen.
As of now, these 3 credit cards are the best ones to use in Japan if you have a bad credit score. It doesn’t matter whether you need to use them for ATMs, online purchases, or in-person payments at various shops and restaurants, because all of them will cover your needs. Each card presented here comes with its special perks, discounts, and bonuses, so it’s up to you to decide which one suits you the best.
However, make sure to also do some research online before finally signing up for a Japanese credit card. Doing so on your computer will make the job of finding offers and comparing the pros and cons much quicker and easier while keeping you well-informed.
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