MoneyInJapan

No-annual-fee credit cards in Japan compared

Compare officially documented standard-card fees and point ecosystems without mixing temporary campaigns into the base offer.

For: People who want no recurring primary-card fee. · Verified: 2026-07-30

Official-fact comparison

CriterionRakuten CardEpos CardSumitomo Mitsui Card (NL)JCB Card Sd CardPayPay Cardau PAY Card
Primary-card feeNo annual fee for the standard primary card.No annual fee for the standard card.No annual fee for the standard card.No annual fee for the primary card.No annual fee for the standard d Card.No annual fee for the standard card.No annual fee for the standard card.
Fee waiverNot applicable to the standard card because its annual fee is free.Not applicable to the standard card because its annual fee is free.Not applicable because the standard card has no annual fee.Not applicable because the primary-card annual fee is free.Not applicable because the standard card has no annual fee.Not applicable because the standard card has no annual fee.Not applicable because the standard card has no annual fee.
Points programEarns Rakuten Points.Earns Epos Points.Earns V Points.Earns J-POINT under the current JCB program.Earns d POINT.Earns PayPay Points.Earns Ponta Points.
Base earning ruleGenerally 1 point per ¥100 of eligible card use; exclusions and different rates apply.Generally 1 point per ¥200 of eligible use; exclusions and different rates apply.Base points accrue on eligible purchases; exclusions and rounding rules apply.Points accrue on eligible monthly card use under JCB rounding and exclusion rules.d POINT accrues on eligible shopping; excluded transactions and merchant-specific treatment apply.PayPay Points accrue on eligible card purchases; exclusions and calculation rules apply.Ponta Points accrue on eligible card use; exclusions and calculation rules apply.
Point expiryRegular points expire one year after the last point was earned; earning a regular point extends the date. Limited-time points follow their stated date.Points ordinarily expire two years after they are added; exceptions and extensions may apply under issuer rules.Expiry is governed by the current V Point terms and activity rules.Point validity follows the current J-POINT terms for this card.Validity follows current d POINT Club rules and point type.PayPay Points are governed by current PayPay terms; limited/campaign awards may have separate conditions.Point validity follows current Ponta program terms and activity treatment.
LimitationsRates, benefits, designs, insurance, and campaign awards can change; verify the current issuer pages. No approval-likelihood claim is made.Benefits and campaigns change. No claim is made about approval ease, approval speed, or suitability for non-Japanese residents.Terms, rates, benefits, and campaigns can change. Verify the dated issuer material; no approval ranking or foreign-resident eligibility claim is made.Terms, rates, benefits, and campaigns can change. Verify the dated issuer material; no approval ranking or foreign-resident eligibility claim is made.Terms, rates, benefits, and campaigns can change. Verify the dated issuer material; no approval ranking or foreign-resident eligibility claim is made.Terms, rates, benefits, and campaigns can change. Verify the dated issuer material; no approval ranking or foreign-resident eligibility claim is made.Terms, rates, benefits, and campaigns can change. Verify the dated issuer material; no approval ranking or foreign-resident eligibility claim is made.

Methodology and limitations

We compare only current, official-issuer facts stored in each card record. Campaign awards are excluded from base rewards, and an unverified feature is shown as not confirmed rather than inferred.

This is a feature comparison, not a ranking of approval likelihood. Issuers make their own screening decisions. Fees, rewards and terms can change, so check the linked official sources before applying.

Safety check before applying

Does “first card” mean easier approval?

No. Inclusion is based on features and issuer-stated eligibility; we do not assess approval likelihood.

Are campaign rewards included in the base reward?

No. Awards with a period, enrollment or spending condition are kept separate from enduring terms.

Sources