Will an American Credit/Debit Card work in Japan?
Im going to Japan next week, and I talked to wells fargo and they said it will work.But i really doubt it. Im 17 years old if that makes a difference and I really don't want to take cash. What do you think? Has anyone tried? Does it depend on the Location?
Japan - 8 Answers
Random Answers, Critics, Comments, Opinions :
1 :
Well bring cash just incase & it never hurts to try it out at least. But it's Japan, they can do anything
2 :
If youre really and truly uneasy about using your card overseas, take cash!
3 :
yes you can use, but it depends on the store or shop. you can ask in the store, you just show your card and say ``ok?`` if you dont know how to talk japanese. the pepeole in there are kind especially in the store. or just say ``kono ca-do(card) wa tsukaemasuka??`` you ask before your shopping. i think its better also you carry your cash because you can't use everything in card. like if you will ride a train, bus etc. i hope you will enjoy visiting in japan, good luck!
4 :
Major credit cards are okay, although Japan does not use credit to the same extent as other countries. When I travel abroad, I generally take very little cash but make withdrawals from cash dispensers when I arrive in the country. I find I get a better rate this way. If you will be traveling to a city, you should have no problem, but watch out in the country.
5 :
I have had many guests who made arrangements with their credit cards in advance and they didn't work here. The cashier swipes the card and because of security arrangements in place and the time difference, the card is declined. When that happens, they never offer to call the transaction in, they just shrug and ask for a different card. My friend was here for 10 days and his card never worked. The airport has a Citibank ATM and there is another one in Yokohama Station. I advise you to bring some cash or traveler's checks, just in case!
6 :
Hm....some very "interesting" answers indeed. Japan is a cash society. Although credit cards are becoming more common, many places do not accept them. Travellers cheques are also not as common as they are in other countries. If you're staying in Tokyo and only shopping in department stores and paying your hotel bill, you'll be ok with a credit card, but if you actually plan to see the country and soak up the atmosphere, the best bet is cash. Get some Japanese money before you go, so you will be able to use it as soon as you need to when you arrive. You can use your debit card, but not in shops or most banks. The best thing is the ATM's in post offices, which are easy to find. Just look for a big red T with an extra horizontal line on top: 〒
7 :
As long as you have talked to your credit card company and they know you will be in a foreign country it will work. They will block the charges especially in Asia if they do not know you are there. Do not take travelers checks they are worthless, no one will cash them. Take some cash for emergencies, but you can use the card almost anywhere.
8 :
Like other people have said: Japan is a cash based society. You will be at a tremendous disadvantage if you don't bring cash. Most restaurants don't accept credit cards (unless they lean towards fancy) and even convenience stores don't (exception being Lawson and a few others). Many cool, small shops only accept cash and if you feel like having a cup of coffee, good luck because neither coffee shops nor Mcdonald's take credit cards. That being said, locations where credit cards are accepted you can use your American credit/debit card. I've used my Washington Mutual Debit Mastercard countless times with no problem. Japan is a relatively safe country where most of its citizens carry most of their money in cash. I recommend you do the same.
Monday, May 21, 2012
Monday, May 14, 2012
Do DVDs bought in the UK work in Japan
Do DVDs bought in the UK work in Japan?
I want to give a Harry Potter DVD to a Japanese friend of mine. Will it work on his DVD player or computer in Japan?
Other - Electronics - 1 Answers
Random Answers, Critics, Comments, Opinions :
1 :
He needs to see if he can mod his player. Not sure about the computer.
I want to give a Harry Potter DVD to a Japanese friend of mine. Will it work on his DVD player or computer in Japan?
Other - Electronics - 1 Answers
Random Answers, Critics, Comments, Opinions :
1 :
He needs to see if he can mod his player. Not sure about the computer.
Monday, May 7, 2012
Is it hard for an American TEFL teacher to find work in Japan
Is it hard for an American TEFL teacher to find work in Japan?
A question for people who have taught English overseas- Where in Asia is there the greatest demand for American english teachers? I always thought Japan, but a friend told me that market is saturated..... My friend told me though Japan is saturated with a surplus of english teachers, South Korea isTHE place for Americans to teach English. Is this true? I was thinking of teaching in japan via the Jet program- but I'm 38, and believe once a person is over 35, they can't be hired by JET plus I wonder how much $$$ one must bring along
Teaching - 3 Answers
Random Answers, Critics, Comments, Opinions :
1 :
I have taught in Taiwan, and am currently teaching in Japan. There are plenty of jobs to be had in Japan, but many of them are ALT jobs as an assistant teacher in public high schools. ALT jobs don't pay much unless you can get one through the JET program, which is sponsored by the Japanese government (unfortunately, I think the deadline for the JET program has just passed). My current job is at a private cram/conversation school. The hours and pay are good, but the management insists we teach according to their style and they have NO idea how to teach. I would recommend either coming to Japan and looking for jobs with smaller schools so you can see them up close, or applying to one of the chain schools in Japan (Nova, Geos, Aeon). The good thing about teaching in Japan is that your work visa is not tied to your place of employment. In Taiwan or Korea, if you quit your job your work visa becomes void, whereas in Japan you can sign with another school on a preexisting visa.
2 :
I can't tell you anything specific to teaching in Japan, but I can tell you what it's like teaching in Korea. There is a pretty high demand in Korea and in terms of pay vs. cost of living it is one of the better places to teach. You have to really be careful in terms of the recruiters and schools you deal with. There are lots of unscrupulous people that will screw you over in a heartbeat, especially if you are a newbie and don't know what your doing. That being said, make sure you research the school before you sign. If you use a recruiter, research them as well. If a recruiter tries to get you to sign with the first school they offer, tell them to take a hike. Keep in mind they get about $1,000 a pop for placing teachers so your just a sucker with a dollar sign on your forehead. Think about these things: 1) Do you want to teach kids or adults? 2) If you want to teach kids, what ages do you want to teach? 3) If you want to teach kids, would you rather teach at a hagwon (cram school) or a public school (there are advantages and disadvantages for both). 4) Would you rather be in a large city or a small city?
3 :
I taught there for 13 years and my kids (I had there) go back every summer. My friends there have private English conversation schools and/or teach at the various schools - both public and private. Some are American, some have no TESL, TEFL or any training specific to language teaching or teaching at all. I didn't and I worked there consistently the whole time. Word of mouth is great; connections you will make with Japanese and other teachers will pave the way if you have a bit of money (to live on) and time to get your foot in the door. I was employed and found a residence within 3 weeks of my arrival but I am also very outgoing and love meeting people and sharing my culture. I also didn't confine myself solely to gaijin (foreign) people and hang-outs. That probably helped a lot. The work visa advice/info another poster gave is correct and timely. You don't go to a saturated market if you want a job, that part's pretty obvious. Avoid upscale suburban areas of Tokyo and Osaka, kobe - they just wouldn't need you! I lived wayy south of Osaka and my friends who have their own schools or are teaching for a university now are not in the major centers, either.
A question for people who have taught English overseas- Where in Asia is there the greatest demand for American english teachers? I always thought Japan, but a friend told me that market is saturated..... My friend told me though Japan is saturated with a surplus of english teachers, South Korea isTHE place for Americans to teach English. Is this true? I was thinking of teaching in japan via the Jet program- but I'm 38, and believe once a person is over 35, they can't be hired by JET plus I wonder how much $$$ one must bring along
Teaching - 3 Answers
Random Answers, Critics, Comments, Opinions :
1 :
I have taught in Taiwan, and am currently teaching in Japan. There are plenty of jobs to be had in Japan, but many of them are ALT jobs as an assistant teacher in public high schools. ALT jobs don't pay much unless you can get one through the JET program, which is sponsored by the Japanese government (unfortunately, I think the deadline for the JET program has just passed). My current job is at a private cram/conversation school. The hours and pay are good, but the management insists we teach according to their style and they have NO idea how to teach. I would recommend either coming to Japan and looking for jobs with smaller schools so you can see them up close, or applying to one of the chain schools in Japan (Nova, Geos, Aeon). The good thing about teaching in Japan is that your work visa is not tied to your place of employment. In Taiwan or Korea, if you quit your job your work visa becomes void, whereas in Japan you can sign with another school on a preexisting visa.
2 :
I can't tell you anything specific to teaching in Japan, but I can tell you what it's like teaching in Korea. There is a pretty high demand in Korea and in terms of pay vs. cost of living it is one of the better places to teach. You have to really be careful in terms of the recruiters and schools you deal with. There are lots of unscrupulous people that will screw you over in a heartbeat, especially if you are a newbie and don't know what your doing. That being said, make sure you research the school before you sign. If you use a recruiter, research them as well. If a recruiter tries to get you to sign with the first school they offer, tell them to take a hike. Keep in mind they get about $1,000 a pop for placing teachers so your just a sucker with a dollar sign on your forehead. Think about these things: 1) Do you want to teach kids or adults? 2) If you want to teach kids, what ages do you want to teach? 3) If you want to teach kids, would you rather teach at a hagwon (cram school) or a public school (there are advantages and disadvantages for both). 4) Would you rather be in a large city or a small city?
3 :
I taught there for 13 years and my kids (I had there) go back every summer. My friends there have private English conversation schools and/or teach at the various schools - both public and private. Some are American, some have no TESL, TEFL or any training specific to language teaching or teaching at all. I didn't and I worked there consistently the whole time. Word of mouth is great; connections you will make with Japanese and other teachers will pave the way if you have a bit of money (to live on) and time to get your foot in the door. I was employed and found a residence within 3 weeks of my arrival but I am also very outgoing and love meeting people and sharing my culture. I also didn't confine myself solely to gaijin (foreign) people and hang-outs. That probably helped a lot. The work visa advice/info another poster gave is correct and timely. You don't go to a saturated market if you want a job, that part's pretty obvious. Avoid upscale suburban areas of Tokyo and Osaka, kobe - they just wouldn't need you! I lived wayy south of Osaka and my friends who have their own schools or are teaching for a university now are not in the major centers, either.
Tuesday, May 1, 2012
Does logic work in Japan? How is attitude and feeling valued differently from the West
Does logic work in Japan? How is attitude and feeling valued differently from the West?
Psychology - 2 Answers
Random Answers, Critics, Comments, Opinions :
1 :
logic is a facet of human nature that is irrespective of gender, race or religion!!~!
2 :
The rules of logic that Aristotle gave us work in any language. But you must understand that there are 256 possibile types of solutions to any question, because we get to our deductions by the use of syllogisms, and there are 256 of them. Of the 256, only 12 have the possibility of being true. The others are fallacies. Of the 12, it is up to the thinker him/herself to choose the right one. Which one is right? That may have a lot to do with values that are set by society, upbringing, eastern vs western philosophy, religion, family values, etc. Of course they will vary from civilization to civilization; they even vary widly within a given civilization. And yes, logic works in Japanese. It even works in sign language.
Psychology - 2 Answers
Random Answers, Critics, Comments, Opinions :
1 :
logic is a facet of human nature that is irrespective of gender, race or religion!!~!
2 :
The rules of logic that Aristotle gave us work in any language. But you must understand that there are 256 possibile types of solutions to any question, because we get to our deductions by the use of syllogisms, and there are 256 of them. Of the 256, only 12 have the possibility of being true. The others are fallacies. Of the 12, it is up to the thinker him/herself to choose the right one. Which one is right? That may have a lot to do with values that are set by society, upbringing, eastern vs western philosophy, religion, family values, etc. Of course they will vary from civilization to civilization; they even vary widly within a given civilization. And yes, logic works in Japanese. It even works in sign language.
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