I would propose an alternative is to perhaps use a service like Wise to exchange USD into JPY and hold that yen in your wise account. If the yen does for some reason strengthen you could then exchange that yen back into USD and deposit it back into your checking/saving account. At that point you could get physical yen via a bank order or withdraw from an ATM if you are in Japan.

Wise also offers a VISA debit card that you could use directly against the yen holding in your account but the transaction fees might make that less ideal than other options.

Perhaps more flexible than loading up thousands of dollars into IC cards.