As I mentioned in the OP, I recently used an Octopus card that hadn't been used in over 10 years - no problem.
Originally Posted by
kevincrumbs
FWIW, same sort of thing with my Suica IC card for use on all the major Japanese public transport systems. I've never had a problem with that one either.
The rules for Suica are different. Octopus automatically deactivates after 1000 days, but can be instantly reactivated at a service desk. Suica deactivates after 10 years of non-use, but the value is gone at that point.