Shopping & Money– category –

Text messages saying a delivery company could not deliver your package, calls from people pretending to be police officers or immigration officials, international calls from numbers starting with "+": based on information from the National Police Agency, the Immigration Services Agency and the National Consumer Affairs Center of Japan, this article explains common scams in Japan and how to spot them. It also covers what to do if you tapped a link or paid money, and where to get help (#9110 and 188).

This article summarizes, situation by situation, the basics of money and shopping that foreign nationals who have started living in Japan should know. Based on information from the Immigration Services Agency and the Financial Services Agency, it explains how to open a bank account, how to pay utility bills, consumption tax (10% and 8%), what you need for a smartphone contract, points to note when sending money abroad, things you must not do, and where to get advice when you have trouble with shopping or contracts.

Something you bought online never arrived, you were pushed into a contract, or you were charged a lot of money. In such cases, call the Consumer Hotline "188" and you will be connected to a nearby Consumer Affairs Center. Based on information from the Consumer Affairs Agency and the National Consumer Affairs Center of Japan, this article explains how to call, the call charges, what you can consult about, and the period and method for cooling-off (a system for cancelling a contract).

Based on information from the Financial Services Agency and the Immigration Services Agency, this article explains what you need to open a bank account in Japan (residence card, personal seal, employee ID or student ID), how to apply, why you may not be able to open or use an account, how to contact your bank when your address or period of stay changes, and why you must never give your account to someone else.