Quick Answer
Start with Rakuten Card — highest approval rate for foreigners (80%+), no annual fee, ¥5,000 points bonus, online application in English. After 6-12 months of history, you can apply for premium cards. Don't apply for multiple cards at once — each rejection hurts your credit score.
💳 Cards Ranked by Foreigner Approval Rate
Forget rewards points comparisons. The real question for foreigners is: which card will actually approve you?
| Card | Annual Fee | Approval Rate | Min Residence | English App |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🥇 Rakuten Card | ¥0 | ★★★★★ | 6 months | ✅ Yes |
| 🥈 EPOS Card | ¥0 | ★★★★☆ | 6 months | ❌ No |
| 🥉 Amazon Mastercard | ¥0 | ★★★★☆ | 1 year | ❌ No |
| PayPay Card | ¥0 | ★★★☆☆ | 1 year | ❌ No |
| au PAY Card | ¥0 | ★★★☆☆ | 1 year | ❌ No |
| ANA/JAL Card | ¥2,200~ | ★★☆☆☆ | 2+ years | ❌ No |
| AMEX Gold | ¥31,900 | ★★☆☆☆ | 2+ years | ✅ Yes |
🥇 #1: Rakuten Card — Start Here
Rakuten Card is the go-to first credit card for foreigners in Japan. The application is available in English, approval takes 1-2 weeks, and the card arrives by mail. Requirements: residence card, bank account, phone number, and at least 6 months in Japan.
💡 Pro Tip
Apply through Rakuten's website (not the app) and choose Visa or Mastercard (not JCB) for better international acceptance. The ¥5,000 points bonus usually requires one purchase within the first month.
🥈 #2: EPOS Card — Instant Issuance at Marui
Walk into any Marui (丸井/OIOI) department store, apply at the card counter, and walk out with a card the same day. No Japanese language skills needed — staff are used to helping foreigners. Excellent travel insurance included for free.
🥉 #3: Amazon Mastercard — For Amazon Shoppers
If you buy regularly on Amazon Japan, this card gives 1.5% back on Amazon purchases. Apply through your Amazon Japan account. Approval rate is decent if you've been in Japan for 1+ year with stable income.
📈 Building Credit in Japan: The Roadmap
❌ Common Rejection Reasons
- ⛔ Applied for multiple cards at once — Each application leaves a mark. Wait 6 months between applications.
- ⛔ Visa less than 1 year remaining — Some issuers check your visa expiry.
- ⛔ No Japanese phone number — You need an 090/080/070 number, not a temporary SIM.
- ⛔ Income too low / unstable — Part-time income is OK for Rakuten, but not for premium cards.
- ⛔ CIC record has negative marks — Late payments on phone bills or other debts.
⚠️ If You Get Rejected
Don't panic. Wait at least 6 months before reapplying (to the same or different issuer). In the meantime, use your debit card consistently, pay all bills on time, and make sure your phone plan is in your name (not prepaid). This builds your CIC credit file.
⚠️ Disclaimer
Approval rates are estimates based on community reports. Individual results vary based on income, visa status, and credit history. This article contains affiliate links (PR).
Last updated: April 2026.
