Shopping
Depositing
Opening Your Account at the Bank
To open a bank account, bring your foreign residents’ registration
card or another piece of identification and inkan (stamp), if you
have one, with you to the bank. There are many types of deposit
accounts available, including the ordinary deposit account which
allows you to deposit or withdraw any time, the fixed deposit account
which reaches maturity after a specified period, and the accumulated
deposit account into which you will deposit a certain amount of
money monthly for a specified period. In addition, there is the
integrated deposit account (Sogo Koza) which combines the ordinary
and time deposit accounts. This relatively new type of account appears
to be becoming very popular. There are also other financial institutions,
such as credit unions and credit associations, as well as the post
office where you can open deposit accounts.
Cash Cards
When you open an account, you can also apply for a cash card. Without
having to wait at the teller’s window, cash cards allow you
to deposit, withdraw, check your balance and transfer funds to other
bank accounts by using bank CDs (cash dispensers) and ATMs (automatic
teller machines). Hours for CDs and ATMs vary by bank. Recently,
some banks and branches have opened their CD and ATM machines on
Sundays. Although cash cards also allow you to use CDs and ATMs
of most other financial institutions for withdrawals and checking
your balance, you will be charged a handling fee each time. Post
office cash cards allow you to withdraw your funds from ATMs and
CDs installed at any post office in Japan without fees.
Overseas Remittance
Overseas transmittance is handled by banks and post offices. There
are three ways to transfer money overseas from banks; demand drafts
(bank certified checks) are issued at the bank and you mail them
yourself. There are also mail and telegraphic funds transfer services
offered by banks. For all of the above, you will have to fill in
the overseas remittance application form at the bank.
Overseas remittance is offered at the main post office in your area.
The most typical way to send money is by either mail or telegraphic
transfer of funds.
Buying
Labels for Foodstuffs
Labels are attached to foodstuffs, indicating the manufacturing
date, expiration period, net weight, additives and other information.
Please check this information when shopping.
Cooling Off System
Under the cooling off system, you can legally cancel, with no
conditions, the contract or your obligation of purchasing products
sold door-to-door (including on the street), services or other forms
of transactions within 8 days of payment and/or signing. This must
be done in writing. However, if the total amount of payment is less
than ¥3,000, this cooling off system cannot be applied. Moreover,
there are some conditions to be met for the cooling off system.
Products and services are those specified by the law. If the products
are consumable such as cosmetics, they must not be used. Nevertheless,
when you feel that you have been cheated, do not hesitate to take
advantage of consulting services for consumers.
For more information, contact the Commerce and Industry Promotion
Division, on the 3rd floor of the city office. Tel: 3264-2111 ext.
2333
Laundry Marks
Clothings labels have different marks indicating materials, recommended
ways of washing, ironing temperatures and drying methods. If you
don’t use the appropriate method in caring for the garment,
it may result in damage.
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