Handling Money & Opening A Bank Account In Japan

Introduction
Hello, so I just opened a bank account at UFJ (三菱東京ＵＦＪ) and I thought my experience might help those who are coming to Japan.  I am only studying in Japan for a year, and I selected my bank based on the fact that it is right next to my train station and I know they have online banking.  I could of tried to do more research, but my Japanese level would of made it a headache.  If you are studying abroad, and lucky, your university might have an info session to help you fill out paperwork.  I attended that meeting, but UFJ was closer to me than the bank they were setting us up with.  They have students who are in dorms or at home stays.  Here is another good post about opening an account, but it didn't really do much for my situation. 

General Info About Money
Japan is a cashed based society, so do not expect to come here with just a credit card.  (I also recommend bringing a wallet that has a pocket for change because they have $5 coins here.)  Places that accept credit cards are not that common.  Hotels that cater to foreign clients and major trains stations might.  (If you want to use your card at a train station you can't go to the ticket machines.  You will need to talk to someone who will not likely know English so know what train line and stops you want.) Therefore, I highly recommend exchanging money ahead of time.  You can either do this at your local bank (it might take time if they do not have yen there), at the airport, or you can try to do it at a Japanese bank.  I've heard that travelers checks are good and bad from different people.  Here is a website that gives you an idea what the various debit card foreign transaction fees, but it is a little dated.  Here is a video from someone living in Japan who talks about dealing with money.  Make sure to call your bank and inform that you will abroad for your debit and credit cards.  I also recommend asking them about international fees so you will have the most up to date information.  From the research I did before the only credit card that doesn't have international fees is Capital One.  Now there is no longer a Capital One debit card, so I have an ING debit card.  When I talked to ING on the phone, since they are now under Capital One, they might change their policies to match the old Capital One debit card.  They have a 2% fee, so when I take money out from an ATM there is that fee plus the ATM fee.  ATMs that work with American credit cards are common and outside convenience stores (which are everywhere).  7-11 has like a $2 ATM fee for any debit card, even Japanese ones.  Even if your bank does have ATMs in Japan, like Citibank, they probably still have ATM fees.  

A Different Mindset: Comparison of USA and Japan's Health Care

Now I am not an expert or well-read on this subject matter, most of what I've heard has derived from politics in the United States.  Health care is a big issue since President Obama's health care law passed.  One thing I like about the law that does affect me is that I can stay on my parent's insurance longer.  However, this isn't what I wanted to talk about.  

I noticed not soon after I came to Japan that people have a different mindset about going to the doctor or the hospital.  In the United States, while I am still covered by my parent's insurance, I try my best to avoid going to the hospital.  I had to call my insurance company to make sure I could go get a check up, before I left to study abroad for the year (partly to fill out paperwork), because I had seen an OB/GYN that same year.  The previous year I got pink eye during midterms.  Since I didn't want to miss my exam I couldn't make the trip over to the clinic offered by my university.  When I talked to my parents, they were concerned about waiting till I could see a doctor to avoid going into emergency care due to how frickin' expensive it is.  My little sister had to go to emergency care because she couldn't hear out of one ear (which affects balance) and she had a dance performance the next day.  

However, in Japan things seem a bit different.  I am required to purchase the National Health Insurance since I am here for a year and do not have a job that provides insurance.  I have yet to go in, but I've been encouraged to do so if I get sick.  Why?  Well, under the National Health insurance if I get sick most of my costs are covered.  A professor, during orientation, said that when Japanese people get sick they go see a doctor.  In the US, if I got sick like the flu or a fever I just stat home and rest.  Only if it gets really bad do I try to go to the clinic, then if I can't go there I go to the doctor and I am insured.  I just thought it was interesting, and likely says something about health care.  (But take it with a grain of salt because I am only talking about the difference that I've noticed in the very short amount of time I've been here.)