Can I wire money to Japan thru Western Union? How?

Question

Can I wire money to Japan thru Western Union? How?

Answer 1

You can, though Western Union tellers are few and far between. Try Tokyo or the larger cities. They are normally in holes in the wall (really small places look out for the western union symbol) or in The Shizuoka Bank.

The best way is at the Post office. The PO are banks as well. When I lived in Japan that is how I sent all money home to Australia (but they do to any country and its cheaper that western union)

Ask for a transfer form (to an account or to  person- they are different forms) the form is in Japanese and English so there are no dramas. If your in a big city you will have no worries. The form is easy anyway, if its wrong they will help you.

Answer 2

You can send/recieve money through Western Union.  But they have limited locations in Japan.  You have to consult their website to find out which banks do it.  

The name of the Western Union agent in Japan is Sugura Bank.

But also, some banks can only send money, but not recieve it.  I had this problem once.  I lived in Tokyo, and there was a bank in Shibuya that sent.  But I had to go to Kannai in Yokohama to recieve.

If you want another choice, try Lloyds TSB.  They send money to any bank within 2-3 days for a flat rate of 2000 yen per transfer.  Their main office is in Akasaka in Tokyo.  It's a British bank, so the staff is either English Native or Bilingual.  Once you setup an account with them, you can wire money from any atm in Japan.  It's the easiest way to wire money from Japan in my opinion.