Can I pay by card in Japan? On my way home from Narita Airport last night, after a quick business trip to London, I noticed a VISA add on the airport train. Trying to convert a younger demographic to the joys of touch-only payment. They may have given up on middle aged Japanese, who probably are the last bastion of resistance in the developed world. But there are valid reasons why Japanese prefer cash.
Safer. You can’t hack cash. No need for all those passwords and two-factor authentications (and when will they have to become 3 factor? And 4?). Oh, someone might steal my money? Probably more chance of dying in an earthquake in Japan so don’t worry about it. Even if you drop your wallet, chances are someone will run up and hand it back to you, unopened. If they didn’t see who dropped it, it will most likely be handed into the local police station (unopened). An Australian client recently lost her passport. When she phoned the emergency hotline in Canberra they said that for any other country they would cancel it automatically. But Japan? Don’t worry it’ll show up. Sure enough, it was returned to her from the countryside hot spring where it had been sitting since she mistakenly left it there, 2 days prior.
Cheaper. Most credit providers charge at least 3 massive percent. 3 percent of global transactions must add up to a pretty penny. I was stunned to see recently that New Zealand has legislated so that venders cannot add on the 3% charge on a discretionary basis. So everyone now has to pay it, even if you pay in cash or debit. Why does that make any sense in a world crying about the increased cost of living? How much will your household spend in a lifetime? 10 million dollars? Maybe. 3% of that is 300 grand. One or two years’ after-tax income? So you are happy to spend one or two years of your life working as a volunteer for VISA? What a great business model VISA has when Governments legislate that you have to buy their services. UK has legislated that all venders must take cards. I wonder if that includes for example China’s AliPay or Union Pay, or do western politicians only support western companies? No doubt the Big Brothers (and Sisters) that watch over us prefer us to pay by card so their tax bureaus and security branches can keep close tabs.
More Convenient. On my last day in London (the card only city), en route to Heathrow, I had a few spare hours. I decided to treat myself to the aircon of IMAX and a light lunch in the grueling heat wave. In the space of 30 minutes and 100m radius, my cards were respectively declined by 2 vendors and accepted by 2 vendors. Burger King was the first decline. 2 independent cards swiped carefully twice each, to be sure to be sure. 4 declines. Step next door to Pizza Hut, no problemo. Similarly rebuffed by the first IMAX, just down the road all good. I don’t know about you, but I don’t have enough space in my life to be worrying about whether I can buy lunch. On a positive note, being able to swipe credit cards to use all public transport in London and Auckland is absolute brilliance. Japan transport companies are finally experimenting with it. Thanks for your patience.
The Yankee Haka. A special note to our American friends. We love you. Your commitment to Freedom is the envy of the world. In Japan we particularly respect you for it. You are the richest people on Earth. Well done, you deserve it. So please don’t fly half way round the planet and tell us you didn’t bring any money. VISA, Mastercard, and AMEX are not legal tender, in Japan. Many places in the big cities will take them. But if you really want that off-the-beaten-path, authentic Japanese experience, guess what.
In New Zealand, The People of The Land (Polynesian people) perform a pre-battle ritual known as the Haka. At the risk of oversimplifying, it involves vigorous slapping of the thighs, chest, and arms whilst making grotesque facial gestures and lots of noise to intimidate the enemy. At bill time in Japan, please save yourself the embarrassment of performing the Yankee Haka, vigorously slapping all pockets in your trousers and jacket pretending to search for non-existent money.
Can I pay by card in Japan? Can I pay by card in Japan?