Just a note that October eki-net online shikansen bookings with US and JP language accounts both refused CSR. The checkout flow behavior was similar to SmartEx issue where fraud reps insisted they couldn't see the charge attempt and it never made it to the intermediate charging page.

I am also thinking of applying for a forex friendly Amex so I don't need to use my ATM debit (went through after a call to non-Chase bank) on certain transportation options and possibly domestic online shopping websites.