ATMs in Japan

Okay on the outside Japan seems as though it were technologically light years more advanced than the rest of the world. But in reality, they haven�ft actually figured out how to use the technology to their advantage. The best example of this is the ATM. 1st off let�fs be really clear about the fact that there is not a national bank. America has Wells Fargo, Citibank, even Washington Mutual is pretty much everywhere now. And even if you can�ft find a branch of your personal bank, you can still use the ATM. Generally, a debit card is accepted anywhere. Oh, how I miss the easy days of convinence. In Japan, my bank card is good only at my particular bank. Which is only found in my area. The card itself is not a visa or mastercard (they don�ft have those kinds of bank cards) so it can�ft be used to charge things�calthough I should also mention that they don�ft really accept credit cards in very many places outside the major cities�cso my world is now a completely cash based society. And really the greatest issue with living in a cash based society, is the fact that sometimes it is really difficult to get cash. I mean, ATMs are not 24/7. In my town, they close down at 9 pm most nights, and 5 pm on Sundays. Oh and they do not open on Holidays�cso if you forget to get your cash before the holiday, you really should not bother leaving the house. Yeah�cI�fve been screwed by this a few times.