What is CIC (Credit Information Center)?
When living in Japan, financial institutions check your credit information whenever you apply for credit cards or housing loans. The information registered with CIC is like a “resume” of your financial transactions. By regularly checking your credit information, you can verify that the records are accurate and that there is no unauthorized use.
Information Available Through CIC
The CIC credit information disclosure report allows you to confirm the following information: credit card and loan contract details, monthly payment status (nyuukin joukyou), balance information, and more. You can also check your history of credit card and loan applications; multiple applications within a short period may affect screenings, so checking before applying provides peace of mind.
The “payment status” section is particularly important. This section displays the past 24 months of payment history using symbols. The “$” mark indicates normal payments, “A” means unpaid, and “P” means partial payment. Delayed payment records may affect new credit card applications or housing loan screenings.
How to Request CIC Disclosure
CIC offers two main methods for checking your credit information: “Online Disclosure” and “Mail Disclosure”. Let’s compare the features of each method.
📱 Online Disclosure (Fastest & Most Convenient)
Since October 2024, disclosure requests have been available online through CIC. You can apply from your smartphone or computer. Pay the ¥500 fee by credit card and receive your credit information as a PDF file—the most convenient method available.
8:00-21:45 (Available year-round including New Year holidays)
・Identity verification document (driver’s license, residence card, My Number card, etc.)
・Credit card (in your name)
・Email address
・Phone number
PayPay, Rakuten Pay, Credit Card, or Carrier Billing
※Re-disclosure within 96 hours of initial disclosure is free of charge.
Request Disclosure on CIC Official Site →📮 Mail Disclosure
Besides online disclosure, you can also request disclosure by mail. For mail requests, send a postal money order for ¥1,500 along with required documents, and the disclosure report will arrive at your home in about 10 days.
¥1,500 (Postal money order or Japan Post Bank money order certificate)
🏢 Counter Application
You can also apply directly at disclosure counters nationwide and receive the disclosure report on the spot (¥500 fee).
❗ What to Do If Error [E1235] Appears
Even if system error [E1235] appears during online disclosure, there’s no need to panic.
This error appears because “sufficient online identity verification could not be completed” and does not mean there is a problem with your credit information. Foreign residents in Japan may encounter this error due to differences in address notation or identification documents.
10:00-16:00
※Call charges apply after navigator dial connection announcement.
Phone Support Details:
When you call the above number, the operator will verify error code [E1235] and guide you through the free mail disclosure request process. In this case, the mail disclosure that normally costs ¥1,500 becomes free (only the navigator dial connection fee applies). This means you can essentially request disclosure for just the cost of the call.
For mail disclosure, the disclosure report will arrive at your home approximately 10 days after sending the required documents. The operator will carefully explain the necessary documents and mailing method, so you can proceed with confidence.
Frequently Asked Questions
Conclusion
CIC credit information disclosure is an important step in building a healthy credit history while living in Japan. It has become much more convenient than before, as you can now check online for an affordable ¥500.
Even if error [E1235] appears, there’s no need to worry. You can request free mail disclosure with just one phone call, so respond calmly. We recommend regularly checking your credit information to prepare for credit card or housing loan applications.