Carry on: Japanese banks open ATMs to foreigners

One of the biggest hassles affecting visitors to Japan is about to change. Despite a modern and sophisticated banking system, Japanese ATMs, with two exceptions, cannot be accessed by foreign credit and cash cards. Money-changing foreign exchange kiosks are also noticeable by their absence, particularly outside Tokyo. And those ATMs that do allow foreign cards – at Japan Post Bank and Seven Bank, found in 7-Eleven convenience stores – are not that plentiful or obvious.

Now, under pressure from a government wanting a tourism boost ahead of the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo, three of the biggest banks have finally relented. Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group and Mizuho Financial Group have agreed to link their ATMs to global networks. Previously, they have argued it’s not worth the cost because of the relatively few number of foreign tourists. However, that is changing because of the 50% drop in the value of the yen against the US dollar in the past year. Japan may still be an expensive destination but it is not exorbitant and it has much to commend it as giving value for money.

The details:
Sumitomo Mitsui plans to connect 1000 of its roughly 6000 ATMs by March 2017, while Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ will begin linking 1000 of its 8300 or so ATMs this year. Mizuho will install 100 new ATMs that accept foreign cards beginning this year. It has 5600 ATMs nationwide. This will involve connecting to the Visa and Mastercard networks, upgrading software to provide increased security and modifying existing ATMs to enable them to read foreign cards.

Iran’s Mahan Air expands to Europe
Iran’s Mahan Air has launched a new service between Tehran and Munich. The twice-weekly flights, using Airbus jetliners, will be augmented from May 22 on a third each week. Mahan Air offers connections from Tehran to Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, Shanghai and Guangzhou.

Cathay weighs first class on A350-1000s
Cathay Pacific is considering its options for new first class suites on its yet-to-be-elivered Airbus A350-1000 and Boeing 777-9X aircraft. The Hong Kong-based airline is also finalising the design of a new business class to debut in February 2016 on the smaller Airbus A350-900s. Cathay’s A350-900s will be only a three-class aircraft of business, premium economy and economy cabins. Only the larger A350-1000s, due from 2018, will have a first class cabin.