So in the states anything that doesn’t have legal binding I use my preferred name when I sign up. I.e. gym membership, concert tickets, internet or phone services etc.
I’m wondering, is Japan more strict with this sort of thing especially since I’m a foreigner? I’d like to sign up to get some concert tickets and a gyn and go by my preferred name etc but I’m curious if I’d be constantly ID’d since i don’t look Japanese.
Just curious if Japan is as lax as the states with this sort of thing
by fadeathrowaway
3 comments
Contracts in general are legally binding, and they will ask you for ID.
Concert tickets depends heavily, most don’t care, but you don’t want to be in a situation where they ask for your ID and they don’t let you in because you’re using a different name. Has nothing to do with being a foreigner, I don’t get ID’d more or less than my Japanese friends and family.
Easiest would be to legally change your name in the US.
Like u/nijitokoneko said: Contracts require your legal name.
And in Japan contracts are everywhere, and are subject to more bureaucracy than you might be used to in the US. Pretty much everything you mentioned (with the possible exception of concert tickets) will require your ID and that you use the name that is on that ID.
And even the “possible exception” of concert tickets is unlikely to work, because a lot of tickets (at least for popular shows) are tied to a particular person to prevent scalping/reselling.
Japan is not lax at all about this lol. After living here for a year, I always use my full legal name (In English and Katakana) on pretty much any form or online application. It’s not worth the hassle on the chance that you’ll get rejected or something for it not matching. Obviously use your preferred legal name among friends etc but in general I usually play it safe with anything remotely official.