Ken Yasumoto-Nicolson <ken_nicolson@hotmail.com> wrote:

> So after filling in the usual form, we got to the bank name - mine is
> First Direct, a telephone & net bank with about a million customers in
> the UK. He went off and did the usual 10 minutes of whatever they do
> when doing these transactions, then returned and muttered something
> about not being able to find the bank name. I pointed out to him on a
> statement I'd brought in with the International Bank Reference Code
> and International Bank Account Number printed on it, but for some
> reason me suggesting I knew the "kokusai ginko bangou" and "kokusai
> ginko kouza bangou" just brought on the startled rabbit "gaigin
> speaking nihongo" look to his face.

The IBAN alone is enough to get it to your account, but the arcane rules
of Japanese banking require the full name, street address, telephone
number, etc. etc. etc. in which case they still don't know how to get
the money from here to there.

Cheers,

-- 
Matt
matt@gol.com