Originally Posted by
LapLap
Yes, not many tourists venture to rural Nikko.
Things have changed though. Since the yubinkyoku ATMs became JP Banks they no longer accept mine or MrLapLap's British debit cards (this change probably happened on 1st Oct 07). MrLapLap's credit card did work. We weren't exactly delighted with this change, especially as the cost for using it is considerably higher.
I think you're making a post hoc propter hoc judgement LapLap. I seem to recall that you mentioned Seven-Eleven ATMs also rejected your UK cash card. (Am I imagining that?) If so, I think that the problems you experienced may be unrelated to the Post Office privatisation - Is there a chance that your UK bank made some changes to its systems?
The ATMs in Japanese post offices still indicate that they accept cash cards which carry the "Cirrus" logo (as well as VISA and other logos). I tried my UK cash card (not a credit card) in the ATM today and it worked fine. The card was issued by FirstDirect bank. It has a Cirrus mark on the back.