OT - how to send $$ to tiny island off coast of japan...?

[RobPatt]

I need to send money to a local in Okino-erabu Japan (a small island two islands north of Okinawa). There's no Western Union, I don't have their bank account info either.... any ideas? (and despite driving a black E34 like the terrorists in iraq, i'm not a terrorist sending money, it's to my father-in-law...) :-) Thanks. -Rob '93 525ia.

[Patrick]

Without a Western Union -the safest way I can think of is to get their bank info and do a bank wire transfer. It would cost about $30-40 probably but you know for sure they would get it. You might be able to get creative using a credit card and a cash advance but I'm not sure how or if any bank or business would go for that there. Barring sending cash in the mail internationally (which I have done successfully but it's a gamble) you're going to need more assistance from your father-in-law.
You could try FedEx or the USPS and pay for the option that provides the absolute most tracking and hope it works.

[pismojeff]

wonder if you could use Paypal for that type of thing?

[Astroboy]

cost of postage and I believe that you can increase the coverage based on the value of the contents. It might come out cheaper fee-wise going that route. I've never tried it, but you may want to look into it. Should the item get lost, I don't know how you would provide proof of value, though...You may need to look into that, first.
Aloha,
Astroboy

[bahnstormer]

does he have internet? use paypal!

[Dan in NZ]

Paypal! I used it for the first time recently, to send money to the USA to buy a bmw-pio/m interface cable. The fees are minimal, and it's simple to use.

[MBXB]

Rob,

Try International Money Order depending on the amount.

http://www.usps.com/money/sendingmon...nationally.htm

[Paul in NZ]

or you can just send him a cheque,will take a bit longer to clear thats all.You can write it out for yen or dollars.....Thats what I have done for transactins with people in Australia,andThe UK .The US are usually PAYPAL freindly,just open an account and click on the send money,I dont think the recipient even needs a paypal account!
click here for info

[632 Regal]

how many yen fit in a gallon jar?

[shogun]

Very convenient also here in Japan and even to that tiny Island near Okinawa it will be no problem. Any small village has a postal office. Prices are very reasonable, and they have cash dispensers all over the country and even accept foreign credit cards, which is not usual here for other banks, Foreign credit cards are often not accepted by the cash machines, as the japanese cash and credit cards have a different magnetic stripe on the back.
We had such probs when some engineers from Germany came over last year for several weeks for a plant start-up in a tiny village in Northern Japan. Only the postal office cash dispensers worked.
If he does not have an account, he can easily open one with the postal office. From today Jan 4, all offices are open again.
In the worst case you can also transfer the money to my account here in Tokyo, will personally bring it to Okinawa (only 1.500 km to the south) and will connect it with a diving holiday. (Just kidding)

Trust Shogun

PS: o.k., back to the subject:
Just talked to our accountant: Even if you pay for the transfer, the recipient has to pay also handling charge, which is deducted by the bank. Quite expensive in Japan. Depending on the amount is is easily 15-20 $ in case of let's say $ 3.000,-.
Postal office is again cheaper here.

PPS: And father's in law in Japan do not have an internet connection. Mine is still using the drums for communation