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.

Originally Posted by jib71

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.

Originally Posted by LapLap

No - the 7-11s have historically never accepted our debit cards. Only the Post Offices ever did (and the Citibanks erratically/once or twice in a blue moon.. for a laugh, I'd say).

MrLapLap only recently acquired a credit card. Both of us have only ever used our Debit cards before. We would have been completely sunk if he hadn't had a Credit card this time around.

And our Debit cards are issued by two different banks. I suspect that the old system meant that somehow the Post Office ATMs had access to whatever network could disclose if there were any funds in the British accounts before dishing up the dough - but with a Credit card, they don't need to. Hence the difference.

Neither of our cards have Cirrus - so this might be worth looking into for those visiting Japan from the UK. Visa on its own doesn't seem to be enough anymore.