Abstract
The objective of this study is to provide insight as to credit cards uses and dangers among AIU students. First, differences in credit card usage between Japan and the United States are briefly introduced, followed by a review of results of previous credit cards surveys conducted in Japan. Ownership of credit cards by students has generated concern that they may end up being financially overextended and unaware of the long-term consequences. Responding to these facts, two objectives guided this study. The first was to gather benchmark information about credit card use among Akita International University (AIU) students. The second was to examine AIU students' attitudes toward credit card use, their money handling habits, their understanding of the implications of credit card debt and the effect of credit card use on important aspects of their university experience. A representative survey of 202 AIU students indicated that 57.4% had credit cards and that they were especially needed when studying abroad. Many positive but also negative comments were provided by respondents with respect to credit cards. More than a quarter of the comments were about concern about the risk of easily running over budget.
