MobalPay: The Payment Card in Japan that Gives Back to Charity

Designed for expats in Japan, discover the solution that enables hassle-free payments and comes with a charity promise

Image Credit: ijeab on Freepik. — *Image Credit:* *ijeab* *on Freepik.*

If you’re an expat or foreign resident in Japan, you’ve likely experienced the often frustrating process of setting up a bank account and obtaining a card. From minimum residency requirements to unexpected fees, there are enough roadblocks that make managing finances unnecessarily complicated.

Thankfully, there’s now a solution—MobalPay. Created by the same trusted company behind Mobal Japan’s SIMs and eSIMs, MobalPay is a reliable and accessible option for handling payments in Japan. Beyond just convenience, it also carries the same commitment to charitable giving as its sister brand, making every activated card an opportunity to contribute to a good cause.

Read on to discover how MobalPay supports your daily financial needs in Japan while also giving back to charity.

What is MobalPay?

MobalPay is a prepaid Mastercard that works online, with Japanese apps, and in physical stores—without the need for a Japanese bank account. The application process is straightforward, entirely in English, and easy to set up for foreign residents in Japan.

While many foreign-issued cards are either not accepted in Japan or come with high fees, MobalPay eliminates these barriers by offering a Japanese-issued and versatile Mastercard. While you can’t deposit your salary or withdraw cash from an ATM, it otherwise functions like a standard Mastercard for purchases across Japan.

Another important difference that sets MobalPay apart is its commitment to charity: a portion of the monthly fee is donated to support Mobal Japan’s charity initiatives, such as school meals for children in Malawi, allowing users to contribute effortlessly while managing their finances.

Who is it for?

MobalPay is designed for expats and foreign residents in Japan. It’s particularly helpful for:

Those without a credit card from their home country
Foreigners with overseas-issued cards who want to use Japanese payment apps like Mobile Suica, Mobile Pasmo, or Rakuten Pay
Newly arrived residents needing a quick and easy financial solution

Solving payment problems with MobalPay

Foreign residents in Japan often struggle with financial hurdles due to language barriers, complex paperwork, and residency requirements… That’s a lot to wade through for someone who’s just arrived in a new country. This can leave newcomers with limited options—such as Japan Post Bank, which only offers basic cash cards without debit or credit functionality.

That’s where MobalPay comes in. It was originally developed to support SIM card purchases for those without Japanese bank cards and in need of a phone number and has since evolved into a standalone financial solution. MobalPay makes it easier for foreigners to access card and financial services.

Image credit: Mudassar Iqbal from Pixabay. — *Image credit:* *Mudassar Iqbal* *from Pixabay.*

How does MobalPay work?

Unlike traditional Japanese banks which require minimum residency requirements, MobalPay doesn’t require your credit history or even a phone number. As long as you're a long-term resident in Japan with a valid Japan Residence Card, Japanese Driver’s License, or Diplomatic ID card and you pass the verification checks, you’ll be able to sign up.

With the advantage of being powered by Mastercard, you can use MobalPay for pretty much anything from transport and payment apps like Suica and popular digital payment apps such as Rakuten Pay, online and in-store shopping, to subscription services like Netflix, and more. Importantly, MobalPay has a balance limit of ¥500,000, so it easily covers most daily expenses.

Image Credit: MobalPay.

How to get started

Apply for MobalPay: Fill out an easy online form and upload a photo of your ID.
Get your ID Verified: Submit your Japan Residence Card, Japanese Driver’s License, or Diplomatic ID for approval. Once verified, you’ll receive a confirmation within one business day.
Pay the Setup Fee: Use the barcode sent via email to pay the ¥2,970 setup fee at any Japanese convenience store.
Receive Your Card: Once payment is confirmed, your MobalPay card will be shipped to your address in Japan.
Add Money to Your Card: Top up easily at convenience stores, ATMs, or via online bank transfers if you have a Japanese bank account. Read more about this here.

Benefits

Make in-store and online purchases seamlessly
Manage spending with an online account
Friendly English customer support
Easy top-ups via convenience stores and ATMs
Secure transactions with Chip and PIN and 3DS verification
Compatible with Japanese payment apps like Rakuten Pay and PayPay, so you can easily earn points

Image Credit: Freepik.

The charitable impact of MobalPay

MobalPay is a testament to the act of giving and the outlook of “we make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.” Unlike other prepaid cards, MobalPay doesn’t charge top-up fees or take a percentage from transactions. Instead, there’s a small monthly fee of ¥385 that helps maintain quality service while supporting charitable projects. This is part of MobalPay’s mission and philosophy, which is that businesses should be a force for good.

Where do the profits go? Contributions from MobalPay support different charity initiatives, including those of Seibo Japan, an international non-profit organization dedicated to its mission: to feed every hungry child in the world a hot meal at school. Seibo provides thousands of meals to nursery and primary school children in Malawi, and you can learn more about their impact in our blog here.

*A young student receiving their meal, Mzimba, July 10th, 2024. Image credit: Seibo Japan.*

To demonstrate their impact Mobal Japan provides an annual impact report detailing how funds are used to support education, healthcare, and community initiatives. In 2023, collaborative efforts of Mobal, MobalPay, and charity partners allowed them to open new school facilities in Chilomoni, Malawi, and to provide daily meals to over 18,000 children.

Additionally, welfare programs assisted nearly 4,000 beneficiaries, and 7,000 jobs were created in Malawi, helping contribute to the economic development of the area. Given that MobalPay was only released in 2023, it’s exciting to think about how its potential impact will grow.

In general, payment cards are often simply a tool for purchasing our necessities, but MobalPay’s 'charity promise logo' is a symbol of giving back to others. Declan Somers, Mobal Japan CEO, shares how MobalPay is one of the few physical tangible products that can sit in people's wallets or pockets and act as a reminder of giving every time it's used.

Image Credit: Mobal Japan.

What users are saying

What do expats and foreign residents think about MobalPay? They love that it’s simple to use, accessible in English, and supports charity. You can read more reviews by real expats here or add one if you’re a MobalPay user.

“I chose Mobalpay as it was very hassle-free for their application for foreigners living in Japan and will continue to use it because they donate profits to charity.” – Gigi A., Feb 2024
“As a foreigner in Japan, I appreciate how quickly I could get a MobalPay card. The ability to load money in various ways and track my transactions online is invaluable.” – R. Ama Mizu, 16 Feb 2024
“It's a great relief to have all the support and information about my account in English.” J. Mackiewicz, Feb 2024

Getting Started

So if you’re in need of a card in Japan and want to avoid the usual barriers like Japanese-only support and minimum residency requirements, then MobalPay might be the right card for you.

Not only will you have a smoother experience when it comes to your payment needs in Japan, but you’ll also be helping others in the process with MobalPay’s charity promise. You can see more and start by applying here.

Website: https://www.mobalpay.com/