Shannon Jacobs wrote:

> Anyway, I feel like I should close the loop on this story of one of the 
> little problems of foreign life in Japan. (Actually, maybe it isn't 
> quite closed... Perhaps I should mention it to the bookstore? I have the 
> sneaking suspicion that SMBC claimed to offer competent service, but I 
> obviously think the bookstore should take that claim with a large grain 
> of salt.)

Can you give me the name of the bookstore?

> As expected, there was no reply or defense offered by SMBC. Response = 
> zilch. They did send me a billing statement that appeared to be a 
> special 'account closing' statement (though I admit I didn't study it in 
> excruciating detail). I personally carried the statement to their office 
> in Shinjuku. There was no other customer there, but they amusingly 
> ignored me until I took my number. Then they called my number, I went to 
> the counter, I paid the bill, and I waited several minutes until the 
> clerk gave me a receipt. The clerk asked no questions, but I 
> double-checked that my credit card account with them was closed.
> 
> A few days later they sent me another envelope. They apparently want me 
> to fill in the form again.

To prevent further problems you should study carefully whatever you 
receive from the bank.

I feel you need a friend fluent in Japanese to help you out.

When Taro Yamamoto in New York or Los Angeles opens a bank account he is 
given an English-language form and is supposed to figure it out. 
Shannon Jacobs in Japan, if he wants to survive, just has to read 
Japanese-language fine print.

> I am awed. I have to conclude that after hiring incompetent people, they 
> select the absolutely most incompetent ones and send them to the credit 
> card division.
> 
> I am terrified. Maybe they are going to send me another credit card.
> 
> I am amazed--that they can stay in business.

With merger after merger and dismissal of staff in the name of
"restructuring" the big banks are in a state of confusion.  Fewer
players in the market means fewer worries about losing business to a rival.

I notice that it takes time for the floor staff to come up with plain 
information, like whether automatic teller machines take credit cards 
issued outside Japan, or which branch to go to purchase foreign currency 
or traveler's checks.  That is so when you ask questions politely in 
standard Japanese.