Your Prime status on the day you apply decides which Amazon Mastercard in Japan you receive. Prime members get 2.0% back on Amazon.co.jp, and everyone else gets 1.5%.
That half-point gap is set at the application screen. If you sign up first and join Prime later, you may end up with the lower-earning card.
This guide is for foreign residents in Japan who order from Amazon.co.jp every week and want to know what the 2026 application looks like before they start the form.
Which Amazon Mastercard Do You Get in 2026?
There are two cards in 2026: the Amazon Mastercard and the Amazon Prime Mastercard. Sumitomo Mitsui Card issues both, and both have no annual fee, permanently.
The Classic and Gold names were retired in a November 2022 renewal, and new Gold applications have closed. A page that still describes a Gold card with free Prime is out of date.
Amazon Prime Mastercard: the black card for Prime members
Prime members get the black Prime Mastercard, which earns 2.0% in Amazon Points on Amazon.co.jp. Existing Gold holders who keep Prime still earn 2.5% under the new terms.
Amazon Mastercard: the silver card for everyone else
Applicants without Prime get the silver card, which earns 1.5% on Amazon.co.jp. Both cards earn 1.5% at convenience stores and 1.0% everywhere else, and each point is worth ¥1 on Amazon.
I like how little setup this takes: the 2.0% Prime rate applies automatically, with no category registration or monthly opt-in.
Can Foreign Residents Get an Amazon Mastercard in Japan?
Yes. The Amazon Mastercard is open to Japan residents aged 18 or older, excluding high school students. Non-Japanese applicants need valid residence status and documents that match it.
University students qualify under the same rule. Sumitomo Mitsui Card does not publish an income threshold, so a steady income helps more than hitting any particular number.
What Sumitomo Mitsui Card checks during screening
The review looks at your employment and income details along with your credit history. If you are new to credit in Japan, expect a modest starting limit that may rise after a period of on-time payments.
Why your residence card details must match exactly
I think the residence card is the document to check twice, because Sumitomo Mitsui Card compares your application against it. Enter your name exactly as it appears there, including the order of the Roman letters.
A mismatch can slow your application down or get it rejected outright. Fixing a typo now takes far less time than waiting through a stalled review.
How to Apply for the Amazon Mastercard Online
The application is done entirely online through your Amazon.co.jp account. If you choose the instant review service, a temporary card number can appear in your account in about 3 minutes.
The flow goes like this:
- Sign in to Amazon.co.jp and open the Amazon Mastercard page from the credit card section
- Enter your name, address, birth date, and contact details exactly as they appear on your ID
- Add your workplace or school, job type, and annual income, then upload ID and submit
The 9:00 to 19:00 window for the temporary card
The Amazon Temporary Card is only issued when you pick instant review between 9:00 and 19:00. It has a ¥30,000 limit. The physical card arrives by mail in about a week.
If a big sale starts tonight, apply before 19:00. An application sent at 23:00 goes through standard review and won't give you a card for that sale.
Documents to have ready
Keep these on hand while you fill in the form:
- Residence card, driver's license, or My Number card
- Proof of address, such as a recent utility bill or bank statement
- A Japanese bank account for the monthly payment
Amazon Mastercard vs Amazon Prime Mastercard: Is the Extra 0.5% Worth It?
For heavy Amazon shoppers, the extra 0.5% adds up. At ¥30,000 a month on Amazon.co.jp, the Prime Mastercard earns 7,200 points a year, compared with 5,400 on the standard card. That is a 1,800-point gap.
| Feature | Amazon Mastercard | Amazon Prime Mastercard |
|---|---|---|
| Who gets it | Non-Prime at application | Prime members at application |
| Annual fee | Free | Free |
| Amazon.co.jp rate | 1.5% | 2.0% |
| Convenience stores | 1.5% | 1.5% |
| Everywhere else | 1.0% | 1.0% |
| Card color | Silver | Black |
The two cards are the same everywhere except Amazon.co.jp, so the choice depends entirely on whether you already pay for Prime.
Does joining Prime only for the card make sense?
I would not join Prime just for the extra 0.5%. Even at ¥30,000 of monthly Amazon spending, it adds only 1,800 points a year.
Join Prime for the free delivery and Prime Video if you want them. If you do, sign up before you apply for the card, and treat the higher rate as a bonus on top.
The ¥3,000 Amazon Mastercard Cashback Has a Revolving Catch
Sumitomo Mitsui Card offered a ¥3,000 cashback to people who applied between April 1 and April 30, 2026. The offer required registering for My Pay-Sukiribo, the company's revolving payment plan, at ¥30,000 a month or less.
The campaign terms on Sumitomo Mitsui Card's site also required ¥60,000 in spending by July 31, 2026. The revolving setting had to stay active until the bonus was paid at the end of October 2026.
Why I'd turn down the revolving bonus
I'd skip any Amazon Mastercard promotion that requires My Pay-Sukiribo, including the ¥3,000 offer. With revolving, any part of your bill above the set monthly amount carries over as a balance that collects interest.
One heavy shopping month around a big sale could push part of your bill into that balance. A ¥3,000 bonus can disappear faster than a konbini onigiri at lunch.
If you have already registered, set the monthly amount high enough to cover your usual full bill, and check your statement every month until the bonus is paid.
Who Should Skip the Amazon Mastercard?
If you are not a Prime member and are 39 or younger, there may be a better option. JCB Card W can reach up to 2.0% equivalent on Amazon.co.jp after you register for its point-up program, compared with 1.5% on the non-Prime Amazon Mastercard.
I'd point a 30-year-old without Prime toward JCB Card W first. JCB requires you to apply before turning 40, but the annual fee stays free after that.
The Amazon Mastercard may be a poor fit if:
- You rarely shop on Amazon.co.jp and would rather earn airline miles or department store points
- You need a high credit limit right away while your Japanese credit history is still thin
- You don't have Prime, you're under 40, and you want the highest possible Amazon rate
Who benefits most
Prime members who order household basics every week and stop at convenience stores often get the most from this card, since both earn above the 1.0% base rate.
Perks on both cards
Both cards include overseas travel insurance up to ¥20 million when the trip is paid with the card, plus shopping protection up to ¥2 million a year. Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Mastercard contactless all work.
Questions People Ask About the Amazon Mastercard in Japan
These are the questions that tend to come up after people read the application page.
- Q: Is the Amazon Mastercard really free in 2026?
Yes. Both versions have no annual fee, permanently. Family cards and the ETC card are also free, so the only cost you'll see is interest if you carry a balance. - Q: Can I get an Amazon Mastercard on a working visa in Japan?
Valid residence status lets you apply, and approval depends on screening rather than nationality. Your residence card details and income information carry the most weight in the review. - Q: Can I still apply for the Amazon Mastercard Gold?
No. New Gold applications have closed. Existing Gold holders who keep Prime still earn 2.5% on Amazon.co.jp, which is higher than anything a new applicant can get. - Q: Can my spouse get an Amazon Mastercard family card?
Yes. You can add up to three family cards for a spouse, parent, or child aged 18 or older who shares your household, excluding high school students. Their spending earns points into the same total as yours. - Q: How soon can I shop on Amazon after applying?
If you choose instant review between 9:00 and 19:00, a temporary card can be ready in about 3 minutes, with a ¥30,000 cap. The physical card takes about a week.
Conclusion
The Amazon Mastercard in Japan rewards Prime members most, with 2.0% back on Amazon.co.jp and no annual fee. Sort out your Prime membership before applying, since that status decides which card Sumitomo Mitsui Card sends you.
Treat revolving-linked sign-up bonuses with suspicion, because a small cashback can disappear into interest charges quickly. So which konbini run will earn your very first 1.5% back on the shiny new card?
