Coop Credit Card
The Card is a tie-up credit Card of University Coop and Sumitomo Mitsui Card Co. Ltd . VISA. As the “cashless society” advances, it is important to become a wise consumer who knows how to carry out one’s plan and be aware of oneself through the use credit cards.
Why to get a credit card?
Basically you can live normal life without obtaining the credit card in Japan, but there are some activities that require it. Namely if you are want to purchase iPhone in Japan you will need a credit card there are some other activities such as internet shopping, purchasing the plane tickets which become much easier when you have a credit card. Also since Japan is very advanced country there a lot of autocharge systems or other card systems that can be linked with your credit card account: such as Subway Sapica card.
I want to get credit card from the Company other than Coop, can I do it?
You can try, but there is a high probability of rejection. Since most of the Banks consider the university student, especially the foreigner as unreliable partner, however in case of Coop credit card the Coop will become your guarantor allowing you to obtain the credit card.
I have a credit card from my own country can I use it?
Usually yes, if you have Visa, Master Card or American Express, you will be able to use them in Japan just in the same way you would use Japanese Bank Credit card but you will probably have an issue with filling in the money in your home country bank account from Japan.
I’m the student of HUSTEP or NIKENSEI or NIKANSEI. Can I get the Coop credit card?
By various reasons only Master, Doctor Postdoc students as well as Hokkaido University staff members can obtain Coop Visa card.
I just got to Japan I made a bank account and received Post Office Bank/Other bank card isn’t it a credit card?
No, it is the Cash Card with it you can only interact with ATM machines to withdraw or transfer money.
Ok, I want to apply for the Coop Credit card. What should I do?
Card application:
You will need to go to the nearest Coop Shop and fill the application.
Please prepare the following documents and it’s copy:
-Student ID
-Alien registration card – When there is an address change, we request a copy of the back of the card.
-Bank account book (通帳) (It’s recommended that you have at least 5000 yen on your bank account when apply for the Tuo Credit Card)
Applicable banks:
-Japan Post Bank (Yuucho Ginko)
-Hokkaido Bank
-North Pasific Bank
-Mizuho Bank
-City Bank
Bank accounts for other Japanese Bank is also Ok in most cases. Note though you can’t use any foreign bank account for this credit card application.
*The Tuo card is sent to the address specified on your Alien registration card.
**Please note that the copy of the documents verifying your identification and your application form will not be returned.
***Tuo card has a predetermined examination by the card issuer. It will take approximately 3 to 4 weeks to issue a card.
If you have Japanese proficiency than look throw the website for useful information as well http://tuo.univcoop.or.jp
You can see details about card application and usage as well as much other useful information here:
http://tuo.univcoop.or.jp/pdf/e_handbook.pdf
English is not your first language?
The Handbook Introductory Guidebook For the Tuo Credit Card is available in the following languages:
http://tuo.univcoop.or.jp/pdf/handbook.pdf - Japanise
http://tuo.univcoop.or.jp/pdf/e_handbook.pdf - English
http://tuo.univcoop.or.jp/pdf/k_handbook.pdf - Korean
http://tuo.univcoop.or.jp/pdf/c_handbook.pdf - Chinese.
How all the credit card system works?
Basically when you make a purchase with your credit card your bank pays your expenses instead of you and by the end of the month you will get the invoice for the all the expenses you made trough the current month. The bank will than charge your expenses automatically from your bank account by the end of each month, so make sure that required sum is present in your account by the withdrawal day. If you miss the payment bank will try to make another charge by 5th day of the next month. You usually will get a notice that there is a problem with insufficient funds on your bank account. If you miss the payment few times your card may be stopped or terminated so use it wisely.
What is ID chip?
It’s RFID wireless chip in your credit card that you can use for making payments basically it’s the same way as you do it with usual card with magnet strip but in case of COOP card you will get 5% money back from your expenses when you make charges by ID system. Also it’s considered more convenient that you need just to touch the reader with your card.
What is IC chip?
Unlike other banks the Coop IC chip does not duplicate the information on the magnet strip so you can’t make payment by the IC system. Instead of that you can use your Coop Credit Card as Coop Meal Prepaid card and pay by it in the Coop Cafeteria and Coop shops.
How do I charge my IC chip?
There are few charging station in Restaurant Clark and Central cafeteria also you can go to the Coop Store near the Restaurant Clark and ask the manager to fill in your IC chip. Please note that IC chip function does not in any way related with you usual credit card purchases by magnet strip or ID system. The best way is consider that you have two cards in one, so even if your VISA credit card stopped or terminated the IC chip should still be working fine. Also note that you can’t withdraw any money from the prepaid IC chip.
Can’t I charge my credit card from COOP shop?
No, you can only charge your COOP prepaid card account which is no way related with your credit card functionality. Make no mistake all VISA card charges are taken from you Bank account and not from prepaid COOP account. So it’s really bad idea to put something like 30 or 50 thousand yen to your COOP account since you would be able to use it only in cafeteria and COOP shops.
Payment
Sometimes in the shop the manager can ask you when you pay by your card “ikkaibarai?” You have an array of choices when it comes to payment. Enabling you to select themethod that best fits your needs. However, there is an additional fee for over 3
installments (months) of payment and revolving payments.
1. Full payment (Ikkatsubarai)
Monthly payment closes on the end of the month and is due on the 26th of the next month. No additional fee is applied.
2. Twice payment
The payment is divided into two and the monthly payment closes on the end of the month and the payment will be due on the 26th of next month and the 26th of previous month. Also no additional fee is applied.
3. The monthly installments (bunkatsubarai 3 kai ijou) (additional fee: annual rate 6.50-8.00%)
You will be paying on the due date of every month, dividing the total of the use amount of the money and the fee into the number of times of the specification. You may choose how many installments you want to divide the payment into:3, 5, 6, 10, 12, 15, 18, 20 or even 24. It’s useful when you make expensive purchase. (I.e. you purchased the Notebook for 100000 yen so you can divide the payments into 10 pieces paying each month only 10000 yen +650-800 yen).
4. The revolving payment (additional fee: real annual rate 8.04%)
You can divide the payment into 5,000 yen, a constant sum every month, regardless of the number of the use and the amount of money you actually spend. Payment is due on the due date every month. You should be very careful when using revolving payment.
Please see more information from Coop personnel regarding the details of each payment type.
Can I get some cash from the credit card in Japan?
No, the Cashing option is not enabled in Coop credit card.
Can I get some cash from the credit card when I’m in the other county?
Yes, you can withdraw some cash from the ATM’s with COOP credit card in the courtiers other than Japan, additional fee will be applied for cashing service. Note then that this was made only for the emergency use.
I want to see the details on my card condition can I do this by the web?
Yes, there is a website called Vpass http://www.smbc-card.com where you can change a lot of option of your credit card as well as to see the sum for next payment and the date when you Bank account would be charged. However the website is Japanise only, and it’s highly NOT recommended to wander around this website without clear knowledge of what are you doing.
I’m going to graduate from Hokkaido University but stay for work in Japan, can I keep the card?
Unless you stay in Hokkaido University as Postdoc or Faculty staff member, you will have to cancel the contract and apply for VISA credit card of Japan post office bank or any other intuition.
I’m going to leave from Japan to my country permanently can I keep the card?
No, you should terminate your contract if you are leaving Japan permanently, also even you have no plans to return to Japan in the future, never leave without paying your bills. That’s really ruins reputation of other foreigners here and beside of all it’s the serious crime.
I also prepared the A3 poster with brief explanation of the cards features you can read it or print it for your notice.
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Originally Posted by Mahabir
