In Japan’s cashless market, the Rakuten Credit Card Application stands out for speed, transparent terms, and a points ecosystem that covers daily needs.
Expect a straightforward online flow in English or Japanese, clear identity checks, and card delivery quickly after approval.
Billing runs on a predictable cycle, and points accrue at standard rates across Rakuten and partner merchants. As of 2025, payments are deducted on the 27th of the month, or the next business day when applicable.
Who Should Consider a Rakuten Card
Foreign residents, students, and first full-time employees often pick Rakuten first because entry requirements are manageable, support materials are extensive, and brand coverage includes Visa, Mastercard, JCB, and American Express.
A no-annual-fee tier covers everyday spenders, while optional upgrades add airport lounge visits and other benefits. Points can be redeemed across Rakuten Ichiba, Rakuten Pay, and affiliated stores, typically at 1 point per 100 yen unless noted.
Eligibility and Required Documents
Accurate data speeds approval and prevents delivery issues. Identity must match the application exactly, including the name printed on the card and the bank direct-debit holder’s name.
Acceptable ID when receiving the card includes:
- a Driver’s License,
- Residence Card,
- Japanese Passport,
- Special Permanent Resident Certificate, or an
- Individual Number Card.
Applications that include non-Japanese name input or missing elements may prompt additional confirmation.
Official Online Process for First-Time Applicants
Prepare your phone, email, local address, and bank details. Keep the Rakuten ID handy to auto-fill address lines and speed final checks.
- Create or confirm a Rakuten ID: Set up a Rakuten ID if none exists, then log in so your profile and address populate correctly. The application flow shows required items up front, including ID and bank details.
- Select card brand and design: Choose Visa, Mastercard, JCB, or American Express, then pick an available card design. Brand choice also sets the maximum characters available for the Romanized name on the card.
- Enter legal name in three scripts: Input the name exactly as shown on ID in Kanji, enter reading in Hiragana, then confirm the Romanized spelling for the card emboss. A perfect match avoids delivery rejection.
- Add contact details and address in Japan: Provide a reachable Japanese phone number, a preferred email, and the full delivery address. Address Kana fields typically fill automatically after the postal code selection.
- Provide household, residence, and employment info: Indicate household composition, tenure at current address, housing status, and employment or school enrollment. Enter annual income figures as requested to complete screening.
- Choose usage purpose and optional cash advance limit: Select shopping, cash advance, or both. Setting a low or zero cashing limit can simplify screening for first-time applicants.
- Decide on optional services: Consider a family card, an ETC card for tolls, and the Rakuten Edy feature. Note that the Rakuten ETC card fee is 550 yen annually unless waived under certain conditions, and Edy is a prepaid e-money usable via tap.
- void automatic revolving unless truly needed: Revolving Payment adds interest; standard tiers carry an effective annual rate of about 17.64 percent for basic cards. Disable auto-enrollment unless a budget requires it.
- Link the bank account: Complete direct-debit registration online for faster activation, or request postal forms when online linkage isn’t possible. Postal processing often takes longer until debit details are confirmed.
- Review, set a PIN, and submit: Confirm all inputs, set a four-digit PIN, and submit. Status can be checked 24 hours a day via the online tracker after the “application received” email arrives.
- Identity checks and call-backs if needed: Some applications receive a brief phone call to verify address or employment details. These calls occur only when the issuer needs clarification and do not imply a negative decision.
- Delivery and first use: Cards ship to the registered home address. Keep ID ready at delivery, sign the card, and confirm payment settings and any Edy configuration before first purchases.
How to Enter Your Name Correctly
Typos and length overflows cause avoidable delays. Card embossing also depends on brand-specific limits. Matching the bank account holder’s name with the applicant’s name prevents direct-debit rejection and rework.
Kanji Entry
Enter the legal name in Kanji exactly as it appears on ID so delivery staff can complete face-to-face verification. Kanji fields accept up to 10 characters per section, including spaces.
Hiragana Reading
Enter the reading in Hiragana with up to 15 characters per section, including spaces. Some forms allow only a single space in the field.
Romanized Name
Confirm Romanized limits by brand: Visa 19 characters, Mastercard 21, JCB 24, and American Express 21, all including spaces. Entering non-Japanese characters in other fields or omitting a middle name may prompt manual confirmation.
Bank Account Name Match
Ensure the bank account holder’s name matches the applicant’s name exactly in order and characters. Mismatches can block registration even when held by the same individual.
Card Types and Fees
A small comparison helps align the first card choice to everyday use. Rewards rates and waivers follow published issuer terms and may vary for special campaigns.
| Card type | Annual fee | Base earn | Extras | ETC handling | Lounge access |
| Rakuten Basic Card | 0 yen | 1 pt per 100 yen | Full Rakuten Point integration | 550 yen annually unless waived by rank | None |
| Rakuten PINK Card | 0 yen | 1 pt per 100 yen | Customizable options and women-focused services | 550 yen, waived for certain ranks and higher cards | None |
| Rakuten Gold Card | 2,200 yen | 1 pt per 100 yen | Domestic airport lounges and higher potential limit | ETC free | Two free domestic lounge visits per membership year window |
Smart Settings and Optional Features
E-money convenience pairs well with predictable billing cycles. Rakuten Edy auto charge can automatically recharge the Edy balance at checkout in eligible stores once the balance falls below a preset amount; family cards aren’t eligible for this automation.
Revolving and installment loans should be used sparingly because they incur additional finance charges.
The family card shares the same overall credit limit as the primary card, which simplifies expense tracking but requires coordination within households.
Common Mistakes that Trigger Extra Checks
A short checklist reduces back-and-forth and protects approval timelines.
- Incomplete apartment details or duplicated entries cause address mismatches during screening.
- Bank account holder name differs from the applicant name, causing direct-debit setup to fail.
- The Romanized name exceeds brand character limits, requiring embossing adjustments or manual confirmation.
- Auto-enrollment in revolving plans without intent adds 15 to 17.64 percent interest, raising costs unexpectedly.
- Missing ID at delivery delays card handoff and first use.
Processing Time, Billing Date, and Points Basics
Approval and delivery are typically completed within about a week after successful checks, though postal bank setup can extend timelines.
Statement periods close at month-end, and the payment date is the 27th of the following month, postponed to the next business day when banks are closed.
Standard shopping earns roughly 1 percent in Rakuten Super Points, applicable across Rakuten services and many affiliates, subject to event multipliers and exclusions.
Last Thoughts
Confirm that the legal name matches ID and bank data, then double-check the address Kana after entering the postal code.
Set a conservative cash advance limit, opt out of automatic revolving unless truly needed, and consider enabling Rakuten Edy auto charge only after reviewing daily limits.
Keep ID ready for delivery, and plan for the 27th draw so the first statement clears without incident.
