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日本語/Japanese  Sun 11/25 09:12 JST
Photo taken in Takada No Baba - home of Waseda University. The yellow sign is an office that gives out student loans.

TV over here is full of commercials for loans and you'll also see a ton of loan signs as you walk down the street. This leads me to think that many Japanese folk are living a life of debt.

Using the loan information on this site, I see that students can take out loans of up to 3,000,000 yen (about 27,745 USD). Some of these loans are interest free if returned within 30 days but the interest rates can go up to 29.2%

Some loan companies in Japan have been exposed as using Yakuza services to come knocking peoples door when payments were delayed.

As a student back in the UK, the only loan I took out was one for just over a thousand pounds - used the money to get a desktop. Was the best investment I've made to date. Without that computer, I wouldn't have been able to self study computing and without that experience I wouldn't have been hired by Japan Airlines etc etc.

I suppose credit cards can be counted as a loan too and when I got hold of one I found it too easy to buy stuff and saw most of my income going to pay off credit card bills. I soon decided to get rid of my credit cards and only use cash cards meaning that I can only spend what I have.
As of today I dont use credit cards - only cards that are tied to what I can spend from my bank account.

The other loan that I took out is one for our house. The interest rates for houses are incredibly low - about 1%. You can read more about buying a house in Japan in this previous post.

Have you taken a loan out before? What are interest rates like in your region? Do big men (or women) wielding crowbars come knocking on the door when payments are delayed?
Categories
Polls
lostandfound in a UFO... catcher...
Part human, part student, 100% loser
Registered on 2007/10/22 02:10
Never have and never will, unless it's a super duper serious matter... Until that happens, I don't think I'll be borrowing any money... LOL, some loan sharks here threaten people to pay them back by throwing paint on the victim's front door or threaten them saying that they'll her their family or something... So, you guys stay out of trouble!
(ID #64913) Posted on 2007/11/25 09:07
lostandfound in a UFO... catcher...
Part human, part student, 100% loser
Registered on 2007/10/22 02:10
*Hurt, not her... Damn these typos...
(ID #64914) Posted on 2007/11/25 09:08
Ken in NYC
Student
Registered on 2007/03/15 22:38
I use my credit card for practically everything. Even a drink that costs $1. There's benefits to using the card, but for people that can't control their spending it's a good idea not to use them. No problems so far.
(ID #64915) Posted on 2007/11/25 09:16
nya-chama in London, United Kingdom
Student/Freelance Programmer
Registered on 2007/10/31 09:18
Student loans in the UK are now f*$king compulsory since everyone needs to pay £3000+ for their tuition now and you have to cover other costs for living.

Luckly this mean all these loans are interest free and you only start paying once you have a job.

I bought the the very same laptop I'm using to communicate with you fine people. But it also means I have a £6000 debt + a £1000 overdraft streatched to the limit and I'm just reaching the halfway point toward graduating.
*plays Cry Me a River in the background
(ID #64916) Posted on 2007/11/25 09:19
kureshii in Singapore
Undergraduate
Registered on 2007/09/01 20:20
Yup... Just one student loan, but from my university, and it's for the tablet PC I'm using currently. Best investment ever.
(ID #64917) Posted on 2007/11/25 09:31
Hwang in England
Legend
Registered on 2007/04/05 21:45
Being a student in the UK i have a student loan however i am lucky enough to have parents footing the tuition fee part of the loan at £3000 per year. 

Also because i didnt move away to go to university i still live at home and dont have much in the way of expenses.

So i have the abiility to leave uni and pay back all of the loan they give me as soon as i graduate leaving my with no debt.

However over the past few months ive seriously been considering spending some of it on a mac/software/camera lenses in order to learn more in my spare time that will hopefully help me in the future in getting a job.

Id like to think that if i did spend it that i could use the equipment i buy to make money back through various ways, however im still not sure about it.

Reading your story has given me hope that it can be done though so we will see :D

Back on the subject of loans in general, the TV is full of ad's for loans. It makes me anoyed when i see loan companies offering loans to help pay off other loans etc. And people actually fall for this crap...

I live off cash and debit card much like you Danny, i dont intend to ever live off credit, my parents brought me up to be sensible with money and i am.
(ID #64921) Posted on 2007/11/25 10:56
Nello in Belgium
Student
Registered on 2007/10/31 23:22
There's no such thing as student loans in Belgium. Everyone can go to college or university. It depends on the salary of your parents, if it doesn't make the limit you have to pay a lot less then other students with more income (still, the entrance fee for students with high income is pretty small too).

I'm quite shocked actually to hear things like this happening in countries like the USA and UK. Isn't education a basic need that everyone should be able to get ?
(ID #64922) Posted on 2007/11/25 11:07
Ashper in Birmingham, U.K
Student
Registered on 2007/11/24 06:07
I started as a student in the U.K the year they decided to change all the rules and make us pay more :s.

Currently i have 2 loans, one for the tuition at £3070 a year and another for living expenses at £3000 a year.... my course is 4 years long, you do the math.

Needless to say i'll have alot to pay back when i finish :(.
(ID #64923) Posted on 2007/11/25 11:12
terry in Singapore
=.=!
Registered on 2007/08/02 23:32
talking about loan.. i might be picking up loan for my comiket trip this dec.. man =.=!
(ID #64926) Posted on 2007/11/25 11:40
atomusku in Sweden
industrial designer, detaljist, graphic design
Registered on 2007/11/04 00:56
i try to avoid loans as much as possible, because school is free over here (university/college's) you dont pay up. But you can loan over 200 thousand dollars over here and just skip town, seriously, alot of people loan cash from a school-funding program by the government and all the people that borrow the cash just move over-seas and never return. Clean Break.

But I have to consider a loan eventually, cause school cost in italy and japan, hafta get my masters in design and still wondering about the place.

(ID #64935) Posted on 2007/11/25 12:15
Zerodyme in United States
Highschool, Junior, Virgin TT_TT
Registered on 2007/11/21 19:36
I haven't had to experience the power of loans yet, and hope I never do.
(ID #64937) Posted on 2007/11/25 12:51
radical anime fan in Dai-Singapore-dan. Hotter than Kamina and Lelouch combined.
Polytechnic Freshman. Mmm... fresh.
Registered on 2007/01/25 21:20
I haven't touched a loan till now, but was a first-hand witness of what happens if you don't pay on time. especially credit cards. Debit cards are much sfer in Singapore; it sort of takes away the urge to spend i you know you're depleting your cash in bank to pay for stuff. And don't get me started on interest payments.
(ID #64938) Posted on 2007/11/25 12:52
D_Blade in Montreal
Non-profit org. volunteering work addict
Registered on 2006/12/31 22:48
I can't seem to accept the term "loan" without some negative perception in my mind and heart.

For me it is something along the lines of "We end you this or that amount of money graciously, but *Sudden, dramatic change of tone* if you forget to pay back once in awhile, we shall open the Gates of Hell and engulf you whole as well as your cherished family and you shall suffer utmost pain!!"

*Shudders uncontrollably*

Please, no loans for me, thank you. I'm fine without them now.
(ID #64941) Posted on 2007/11/25 13:09
D_Blade in Montreal
Non-profit org. volunteering work addict
Registered on 2006/12/31 22:48
*lend (naturally)

(And no, the previous comment wasn't sarcastic)
(ID #64943) Posted on 2007/11/25 13:13
Zerodyme in United States
Highschool, Junior, Virgin TT_TT
Registered on 2007/11/21 19:36
Wow D_Blade, let me use your loan company -.- 

Who is you Intern?

satan?

I cant picture him in glasses, and a white collared shirt with a tie

instead of a pitch fork he is torturing old widows by denying loans

"DENIED! DENIED I SAID!"
(ID #64946) Posted on 2007/11/25 13:25
D_Blade in Montreal
Non-profit org. volunteering work addict
Registered on 2006/12/31 22:48
Well Zerodyme, when you're quite bankrupt from all sides and that you are unable to do anything to limit that, that your possessions are taken and that you lose even more (family, etc.) you can say that you have already lost your soul in some way.

I know, I know it's too romanced and it's extreme for a case, but it sadly happens to some. 
Better have that kind of terrifying thoughts than going for "La-la-la~... I got all the money I want from this loan, so I can spend it all on gambling and repay it all when I turn out millionaire!~" (And of course slowly get blinded by instant money lending and forget about repaying plus adding interests)

It's always fishy when someone you don't know (sometimes even those you know) lend/give you things like that, without a proper reason. Call me paranoid if you want. ;) 
(ID #64947) Posted on 2007/11/25 13:43
n1ck in Malaysia
Student
Registered on 2007/09/03 21:01
Here. there are illegal money lenders called "Ah longs"(loan sharks).
They lend money, but with very high interest rates. 
If you dont pay up, they'll splash ur house with red paint, disturb you and your families, beat you up...
(ID #64949) Posted on 2007/11/25 13:47
gordon in 新加坡 Singapore
宅男 Otaku/ 工程师 Engineer
Registered on 2007/06/11 14:57
as what n1ck mentioned below me, we have loan sharks in singapore as well.

a recent case in singapore has one loan shark runner locking up the house of a debtor with his young son locked in.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Loan_shark
(ID #64950) Posted on 2007/11/25 13:58
hendrik in jakarta,indonesia
student
Registered on 2007/06/01 04:39
hah @n1ck did any of those loan shark theme got into your soap opera(sinetron)?
 we got a lot of this loan shark themed soap opera(drama) here?

yea, they are loan shark with a very high interest too here, i never loan anything though
(ID #64951) Posted on 2007/11/25 14:01
Registered on 2006/12/24 23:42
lol, I think I'll be takng the fifth on this Danny. on a unrelated note, I noticed that you have a otaku.fm banner on the side. I guess the site is up now. congratulations and kudos to you Danny. ^^ 
(ID #64953) Posted on 2007/11/25 14:44
BeLe in Davao, Philippines
.NET/Web Developer
Registered on 2007/01/03 16:36
never loaned before so don't know bout the interests rate around here.  I do use a credit card a lot since I don't like bringing cash with me all the time.  I don't overspend though since I always keep my expenses in check and on the budget. ^^
(ID #64954) Posted on 2007/11/25 15:41
tsukishi69 in Lima,Peru
Student
Registered on 2007/04/17 22:14
too young fot that XD
(ID #64958) Posted on 2007/11/25 16:41
JapanAnime in Hilversum, Holland
Student Business Economics
Registered on 2007/08/05 18:23
The only loan I have is a loan from the government agency that pays out my study financing, only students can loan from that agency against an intrest rate of 0%. Another plus is that you start paying it back after you've finished your study and found a job. ^^ For the rest I hate living in debts, that's why I have a very negative look on credit cards and loan commercials.
(ID #64966) Posted on 2007/11/25 17:54
they are not tooo bad with the interst like in US
(ID #64967) Posted on 2007/11/25 17:57
Brandon Rais in Orlando Florida USA
I am currently attending a very prestigious private college in Orlando Florida called Full Sail, for Computer Animation. The 2 year tuition alone will cost me $64,000... thats right i did not type that wrong, sixty four thousand dollars. On top of that, the school does not have any dorms so that means I am also paying for living expenses in an apartment. So I know what it is like living in debt... i just hope that I dont get any Yakuza coming after me after graduation.
(ID #64971) Posted on 2007/11/25 18:29
Edward in Michigan U.S.A.
Troubleshooter, Universal Exports
Registered on 2006/12/24 12:02
Interest rate here are ridiculous.  Most Americans would probably do better dealing with a loan shark.  Loan sharking is illegal here in the states.  What happen is they all went legit and became banks and lending institutions.  I'm joking but that is what it often appears to be.

I often think the objective of banks and lending institutions here in the states is to get one started as early as possible and keep them in debt.  I'm sure most are aware of the house loan market problems right now.  Not a new problem, it's just seeing more attention.  America has been a debtor nation and it's just getting worst.

So when I see all the ads and signs in Japan, I hope the Japanese are not doing the same.  Don't get me wrong having debt is not a bad thing.  When one does ridiculous things like buy a million dollar home and mortgage every penny of it!  Well...  Yes people are doing that here...

As for me, I do my best to stay with cash and debt card.  I do have one credit card that I use from time to time.  Mostly I use it for car or hotel reservations.  The rate is extremely low as in, single digit low.  Of course I have student loan again... ^^;  Don't know if I will be able to pay those off as I go through college again or not.
(ID #64974) Posted on 2007/11/25 21:35
Edward in Michigan U.S.A.
Troubleshooter, Universal Exports
Registered on 2006/12/24 12:02
Sounds almost like a universal norm now.  College students take out their first loan or use a quite a bit of their loan money to buy a computer.  I just did the same since I had to give the laptop back to the company.  New IT guys viewed Macs as a security risk, blah blah blah...

College education is so important and we live in a world where it is a necessity to have.  It's nice to read that many nations view it in that way.  I'm surprised the Japanese don't.  Then again, they do have some helpful worker education programs in Japan...

Oddly enough this county is luck for the changes that WWII brought.  If we had not had the G.I. Bill after WWII and student loan program would not have been here for us today. 
(ID #64975) Posted on 2007/11/25 21:59
Boris in USA
Interactive Media Design and Graphic Design
Registered on 2006/12/26 00:12
I took out a student loan for my university, while half of my education was paid by scholarships and government assistance. While having student loan it is not considered living in debt because student loans can be paid in period of 10 years. I buy everything on credit card, but always pay it full before end of the month. This way i create my credit history and don't have to carry cash. Even metro fares can be paid by credit card, too bad bus fairs can not be :-(
(ID #64978) Posted on 2007/11/26 00:46
Mr.Boy in Graceland
Simulation
Registered on 2006/12/31 20:26
Ahh 100% Debt Free! I was fortunate and had my credit score ruined at an early age. Now I'm the top 6% of wage earners in the U.S., I don't need a credit card and have removed my self from pre-screened offers. I buy what I want when I can afford it, and because of hard work and saving it's about when ever I feel like it.

The perfect slave is the one who thinks he is free!
(ID #64983) Posted on 2007/11/26 01:35
n1ck in Malaysia
Student
Registered on 2007/09/03 21:01
-Hendrik
Hehe. No idea. I dont follow up on my local shows/drama.
(ID #64986) Posted on 2007/11/26 03:27
silent1134 in California
Student
Registered on 2007/08/22 14:33
The only loans I have are student loans which I have a period of about 9 months to pay it all off interest free and 5% interest after...

I like paying for things up front in cash so that there's no strings attached or tempted to use money I don't have and get into debt...
(ID #64988) Posted on 2007/11/26 03:38
Starboykb in Brunei
IT TechGuy
Registered on 2007/05/16 00:05
Never loan but I do use my credit card a lot and paid it for next month.
(ID #65018) Posted on 2007/11/26 11:33
Adam Mesenbrink in Missouri, USA
Loans are a nessisary evil.  I am a "home owner" which means I have a long term low interest loan for my house.  My wife stays at home with our children so we do not have a lot of extra money left after the bills.  When my car was hit this summer while I was driving home from work, I needed to replace it.  Now we have another loan.  We couldn't avoid it.  

Loans for school, houses, and cars are OK, if they are researched and you understand what you are doing.  Loans can be very confusing, car dealers in the us will just tell you what the monthly payment is as opposed to telling you how much you are paying for the car.  If you need to take out a loan, just make sure you "NEED" the loan and the terms are favorable.  There are usually pages of terms that go with a loan.  Read it, if you don't understand something ask, don't sign without a clear understanding.  Just remember your signature has the power to destroy your life.
(ID #65034) Posted on 2007/11/26 13:27
Wake up... in USA
RECORD 75 MILLION AMERICANS NOW
PRETENDING THEY OWN THEIR OWN HOMES 
Low Interest Rates Help Many Fulfill The American (Banker's) Dream 

"Ever since I was a little girl, I've wanted to (deceive myself into believing I could) be a homeowner," said Doogan, 35. "Well, look at me now! Me, little Stephanie Doogan, I actually have a place I can call 100 percent (minus 80 percent) my own!" 

"There's nothing like taking a walk around your (bank-owned) house, then going outside and kneeling down in your (bank-owned) lawn and grabbing a handful of (the bank's) dirt to make you realize how precious (their) land is," said 28-year-old Matt Jackson, who('s bank) bought a $210,000 home on New York's Long Island last year. "It makes me feel as though I really have something that no one can take away from me (unless I miss so much as one mortgage payment)." 
(ID #65037) Posted on 2007/11/26 16:09
Henry in Makati, Philippines
anime/cosplay events organizer
Registered on 2006/12/25 19:17
it looks like loan business in japan is lucrative XP

i'm currently looking for a cash card or a debit card which is also accepted internationally and also accepted online. this way i can only spend on only what i have. if ever i can't find a cash card/debit card which fit my needs, i'll get a credit card and only use it maybe once or twice a month ^^;;;;
(ID #65083) Posted on 2007/11/27 02:45
Antabax in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
1% interest only for home ? thats damn cheap !
(ID #65183) Posted on 2007/11/28 06:01
Rufus Shinra in 神羅HQ 60th floor, Midgar
Registered on 2007/01/20 01:05
I have 3 credit cards- 2 that I don't use. Yeah, credit cards can get you making wild purchases especially online. But I like the rebates they come with, i.e. 1% back on all your purchases. 
(ID #65521) Posted on 2007/12/01 02:23
Benjamin Takeyo in Lieu de la batille decisive
ひきこもり/Hikikomori. Suits my current state more than a 大学生/University Student. ^^
Registered on 2007/12/04 23:16
I have no credit cards, thanks to my dad's influence on living traditional life (bit on the frugal side too).
(ID #66182) Posted on 2007/12/06 15:54
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