One of the most common inquires our English help desk receives from our customers is regarding not being able to use their cash card at ATMs. What many people don’t realize is that the direction you insert your Sony Bank WALLET differs when using it at ATMs in Japan versus when using it as a Visa Debit card or at ATMs located overseas.

In this blog, we outline the different ways to use your cash card at domestic ATMs compared to when making purchases or withdrawing cash at overseas ATMs.

Using your cash card at ATMs in Japan

When using your cash card at ATMs in Japan, you should always ensure the end of your card that says キャッシュカードのご利用 (as a cash card ) is facing toward the machine. If you mistakenly insert the end that says VISAデビット/海外ATMのご利用 (as a debit card / for overseas ATMs) , you'll receive an error messaging telling you that the card can't be used. If this happens, please turn your card around the other way and try again. Or simply remember to always insert your card with the IC chip closest to you or pointing away from the machine.

With Sony Bank WALLET, all customers can enjoy fee-waived cash withdrawals at ATMs according to their Club S level and use their cash card at any of the approximately 90,000 partner ATMs throughout Japan. To learn more, please refer to our ATM Guide.

ATM Information

Making purchases using Visa Debit

When using your Sony Bank WALLET at stores or other places where you swipe or insert your card into the card reader yourself, you should always ensure the card’s IC chip is facing forward, just like a credit card. When making purchases at merchants where there is a clerk on hand however, hand over your card in the same manner as a credit card and say, "Visaカード、1回払いで (Visa card, ikkai barai de),” which means “Visa card, one-time payment, please." Depending on the merchant, you may be asked to sign the payment slip or enter your Visa Debit PIN to authorize the transaction.

Withdrawing cash from overseas ATMs

As is the case with making purchases with Visa Debit, when using your card to withdraw cash at overseas ATMs, you should insert it into the ATM card reader with the IC chip facing up and pointing towards the machine. In other words, the end of your card that says VISAデビット/海外ATMのご利用 (as a debit card / for overseas ATMs) should be facing away from you.

Using Sony Bank WALLET for everyday purchases

Sony Bank WALLET is a cash card with Visa debit functionality. Linked directly to your Sony Bank account, payments are debited immediately from your account each time you use your card.

Now that you have learned the correct way to use your card, why not take full advantage of Sony Bank WALLET as your go-to means of payment for everyday purchases?