RetireJapan

So. Several weeks into the application “process” the delightful folks at Rakuten Bank have decided I need to provide a recent 在籍証明書 from my employer.

When I spoke to someone from Rakuten they said a phone call to my company to speak to someone who could confirm my employment details would be fine. But it’s a smallish branch of an international company without a local HR Function so we agreed I’d supply something in writing instead. (They gave we one month to complete this task, or they’d cancel the application. I thought one month was generous not realizing they would wait three weeks to tell me exactly what they want in the letter and provide me a prepaid envelope.)

Has anyone else had to do this?

The only thing a bit odd is I’m a company director. When I applied for SBI last year no proof of employment was required.

No drama I’m just curious. Could be a useful data point for a future wiki entry.

I had the same and I am also company director (of a very small company). So in my case they didn't want just a confirmation, but something that proofs that the company is really operating. So they wanted an example of an invoice that we send to a customer, and on the invoice our companies purpose should be visible. I couldn't provide the latter (who writes a company description on an invocie?), but in the end they accepted it.

Rakuten did definitely not improve in my favorite bank ranking

mule96 wrote: ↑Tue Feb 16, 2021 2:37 am I had the same and I am also company director (of a very small company). So in my case they didn't want just a confirmation, but something that proofs that the company is really operating. Sothey wanted an example of an invoice that we send to a customer, and on the invoice our companies purpose should be visible. I couldn't provide the latter (who write a company description on an invocie?), but in the end they accepted it.

Rakuten did definitely not improve in my favorite bank ranking

Thanks for this. I feel strangely warmed by your post. Must be a Director thang.
I actually don't need the account. So if they don't accept my first attempt I'll bin'em.

But wait! what's this buried deep within the Crystal Maze like set of emails I've just recieved.
I also need to log in and correct how I entered my own name in the application!

I'd entered katakana of: "LAST FIRSTMIDDLE"

That's no good! They say I need to modify to match the spacing of the romaji ID documents I submitted.
LAST FIRST MIDDLE.

I want to compliment them on noticing the difference!

OK. I've now taken 30 minutes to navigate the early 90s online system they have to amend in-progress applications and put the space back in.

Becuase let's all pretend they won't insist I remove that space again when it's time to actually create the account.

Ping. Modification complete. Comfirmation email received which states.
Dear LASTFIRST MIDDLE

I just don't...
I did not make a mistake on my modification. For some reason I'm not sensing a rosy future for Rakuten Bank and me.

I do enjoy your posts MM and would be up for contributing to a crowd funder to allow you to bin your middle name by deed poll.

Beaglehound wrote: ↑Thu Feb 18, 2021 2:17 pm I do enjoy your posts MM and would be up for contributing to a crowd funder to allow you to bin your middle name by deed poll.

Sorry for the majiresu, but looks like that's not an option for residents abroad (source).

I wonder how to actually change your name on your passport in that case. Sounds like a catch-22 situation. Probably involves persuading an official somewhere along the line.

Beaglehound wrote: ↑Thu Feb 18, 2021 2:17 pm I do enjoy your posts MM and would be up for contributing to a crowd funder to allow you to bin your middle name by deed poll.

Well thanks for that. Clearly it’s my goal is to steal this forum away from Ben and turn it into my own Bill Bryson-esque vanity blog about my experiences in an exotic land.

Also, I should accept I’m just unlucky. My 在籍証明書 request to our well regarded and costly, tax and payroll agent went as can be expected.

They missed my start of employment date by 6 years and 5 months. When challenged, they asked me, if I “was sure” about my start date. Whilst I don’t hate my job, time doesn’t fly by so fast I’d forget 6 years!

I try to keep an unfettered mind. I really do.

Until next time,

Mon EyMatters

Moneymatters wrote: ↑Thu Feb 18, 2021 1:59 pm I'd entered katakana of: "LAST FIRSTMIDDLE"

That's no good! They say I need to modify to match the spacing of the romaji ID documents I submitted.
LAST FIRST MIDDLE.

Wait until you want a Rakuten Credit card that doesn't accept spaces in the "first name" slot, so you have to beg your Securities/Banking account customer rep to delete the space so you can link the two accounts correctly. Real story, comes up every 3-6 months on the forums too.

Hi,
I appreciate your posts, MM, and I'd gladly contribute to a crowdfunding campaign to support your middle name change through deed poll.