I don’t understand why banking is so difficult here. What am I doing wrong?

I got a JP account and a cash card. They wouldn't give me a debit card, so I stopped using that account because, well, it's 2026 and I need a debit card.

So then I got an SMBC visa debit card. I downloaded the app and registered in the app but that wasn't enough to use it online. I had to register on their website and it was not an easy process. After about two hours of frustration, I could finally order things online (and pay bills).

And now, my debit card isn't working in half the stores I visit. I get emails telling me the transactions are denied for "security reasons", even though I'm just trying to do things like buy a coffee or buy gas. Half the time it works. Half the time it doesn't. When I call them, they tell me I perhaps entered a wrong pin and to just try again. This is nonsense.

THIS MAKES NO SENSE.

What am I supposed to do here? Should I get a credit card, like with Life? Do I need to just carry lots of cash with me? My experience with banking here is my number 1 gripe about Japan, I don't know why I'm having so much trouble with it.