Japan tourism trade turning more to credit cards

That's because it's illegal here in Japan, which I guess some people doesn't know. A merchant in Japan can't ask different prices for the same item,

Is that really the case? I can understand that setting different prices to different customers is illegal, but I thought there were no requirements on accepting methods of payment other than cash. So accepting a credit card can surely be viewed as a service, and therefore chargeable.

there are two identical e-commerce sites owned by the same companies that have different prices based on payment method.

You put the stuff you want in your cart, click on 'Order', the price comes up and then you choose your payment method. The only time I've ever seen a difference in price depending on payment method is when they charge you more for COD.

Hopefully the Credit / Debit Card increase of usage will continue... it is far too easy to hide transactions when dealing in cash and too easy to hide from the tax man. Japan needs the tax revenue.

Some airlines charge more now if you pay by credit card. I think KLM does to Japan side users. Maybe its to get around the law, but they will hold the booking and let you pay (within 24hrs?) by bank transfer (!) with no extra fee. I freaked out when I saw it. I had to cancel and rebook.

We pay by credit when we can and collect the points like everyone else. Ooh, a free something just for paying your electricity bill. It should go without saying that higher prices pay for the points. It is not a free lunch.

When I first arrived in Japan, Credit card acceptance was a rarity. Nowadays it's the norm. However it is somewhat behind the times. e-payment through Apple Pay, AliPay, WeChat Pay are currently the norm elsewhere, for example in China, even the Beggars accept WeChat payments.

I have never, ever, been asked to pay more on account of using a credit card. Not once.

That's because it's illegal here in Japan, which I guess some people doesn't know.

A merchant in Japan can't ask different prices for the same item, they can discount but can not hike up the price based on purchase method.

If you search closely there are two identical e-commerce sites owned by the same companies that have different prices based on payment method. This is legal since they are seen as different merchants, not possible for a brick and mortar establishment unless they split the store in half and divide it with a wall with two different cashiers with separate store signs.

I have never, ever, been asked to pay more on account of using a credit card. Not once. Settle the account in full every month, and there are no fees. And the points add up to a nice Christmas bonus at the end of the year.

I don't know where you lot are shopping.....

Back to good old Butsu-butsu-kokan! ;-)

When I offered a card for work on my car the garage said yes, fine, but we will have to charge you 5% extra, as kohakuebisu mentioned above. A friend tried to buy a samurai kabuto helmet for 800,000 JPY, but was in a hurry (had to catch a train to the next city) and unable to get the cash together immediately. The shop wanted 840,000 to cover use of his card. Makes you hesitate, it does.

Are there Credit card fees on transactions ? ... Yes Are there Debit Card fees on transactions ? ..... No

Woohoo! About time...good move as Japan is the only country I feel I have to carry wads of cash around when I visit! EFTPOS would be even better.

About 10% of my food is betsubetsukokan, a trading system between neighbours. No money, no tax, no fees, just fresh local food.

Inkochi.

Of course cash at my local combini.

The more credit cards are used, the more records of users' actual spending for the government and the tax man. Well, that is one of the things My Number is supposed to be about.

@pacint - it seems you are onto this point and have adapted to it before me:

Just ordered 30kg of brown rice and 3kg of chickpeas, free shipping that takes a few days, quick delivery is an extra charge.

Paid by using a bought Amazon gift Card no extra/hidden fees.

Amazon card paid for with cash I suppose.

Just ordered 30kg of brown rice and 3kg of chickpeas, free shipping that takes a few days, quick delivery is an extra charge.

Paid by using a bought Amazon gift Card no extra/hidden fees.

Japan should skip ahead of credit cards and adopt cryptocurrency (which, so far, they are). No more 5% to the middleman is one of the advantages.

This is my gripe with CC, online shopping and more. You get penalised for using their services to make your life easier, faster, etc.

How much of what people pay is fees when broken down, would surprise/scare many.

Credit cards are convenient but businesses accepting them have to pay a fee, which is often 2 to 3% but can be as high as 5% for small businesses. It mightn't seem like it does, but it pushes up prices, all to pay a middleman.

Gasoline stands in Japan now charge less when you pay by cash than by card, unless it is their preferred card.