A reader from Australia, JF, contacted Lifelines with a question about using her MasterCard debit card here. She is coming to Japan soon and was concerned about a notice she had seen on MasterCard Japan's website, indicating that certain types of cards issued overseas could not be used in ATMs here:

To: Cardholders of Maestro-branded EMV Cards issued outside of the Asia/Pacific Region

Re: Temporary Suspension of Maestro ATM Acceptance in Japan

All Maestro-branded EMV cards issued outside of the Asia/Pacific region are temporarily unable to withdraw currency at domestic ATMs, while the regional ATM network is upgraded.