Joining JOHNNY's FC as an international fan!

How many of you don't want to be a member of your fave JE band?
The thing is, as most JE things are, it's not easy to get it if you live outside Japan.
JE recently opened up their mobile page for foreign fans. But still to be a "normal" member - which means you get your FC card, FC newsletters and can ballot for shows and concerts, you need to know someone, physically, living in Japan to help you.
Don't forget to respect the rules of JE! I know all of us wants to be fan club members but do it the good and approved way!!

Some have been saying they are afraid to have more than one membership to their address unless it's a different FC. But the thing is, from what I have heard, JE do not care about the address, they care about the name! AND how you use your membership - that will say for your OWN private fan use!
Therefore, if you have a good friend who's already a member, she/he CAN help you out.
It is okay to use same phone number as well. JE do not really look at that. Unless you register more than 2 memberships.
I have heard of others who have helped others out and used same address and no problem.
As they have done it for their friends and not sold tickets on yahoo, ticket.jp or other so I guess that's also why JE do not bother.

Still JE is JE, so if they see that one address has 10 memberships, then yes, sooner or later it will become a YELLOW and RED flag! So do respect the rules!!
I do NOT recommend services from others, you have no idea who they are. Only trust your friends!!
You DO NOT want to get in trouble with the law.

And the address can be changed as many times as needed, but limited to once a month.. or you can also contact JE for special occasions.

More info what's needed will be presented further down...

1. JE FC Fee:
Membership registation (one time): 1000 yen
Annual fee: 4000 yen
Don't forget to deposit this money once a year... you will receive an email saying it's time. But if you forget to do so, you'll need to contact JE.

photo @ Johnny's net

You need to go to Japan Post to register.

After you register it can take some time before you get the first FC stuff sent to you. But be patient.

As you know there are many people in Japan and JE is popular, it takes time to process everything.

This paper is what you need to fill in, each FC has a different account so if you want to be member or more than one you need to fill in one form for each. 

photo @ Johnny's net

JE always uses accounts belonging to Japanese Post. Japan post also has a bank.
All instructions needed to enter you can find it in English HERE
Go to Johnny's net main site to access it in Chinese and Korean.

2. EMAIL and FC bulletins/tickets
So the tricky part is this...
JE do not send emails to "free email accounts", such as gmail, hotmail, yahoo.
Which is usually no problem for Japanese people, as they usually use their "mobile phone email" which is a paid one as people pay for the phone contract.
So please try to see if you have another address you can use, like a university email or so. I'd avoid work email as JE tends to send out a lot and I'm not sure which company would like that.

When it comes to ballot concert tickets - all go through paperwork.
They usually send an email with the same info, but when it's time to pay, everything is done the old way, this is also why you need a person physically in Japan. Online you have probably seen the ballot forms, To enter the ballot these should be sent in with your FC details and your wishes for the ballot. Such as venue, days, amount of tickets.

For shows - you can use email and apply online. But remember to check your email and phone. As they might contact you in short notice. There are many rules about the shows as well, so before entering, please read them. This is also why it's good if you have a friend who knows Japanese!

These days, because there have been many scams and re-selling of tickets..
JE has been taken actions. So, when balloting for tickets of any kind, you do not only you need to state your name, IF you want to bring friends (eg concert/show) you have to state their names too!!



3. Address in Japan
Compare to other countries Japan is strict with the mails.
If the name is NOT on the postbox they will not leave any kind of mails there. So when do your registration, DON'T forget to put C/O and your friend's name.
This can also be used if you are about to move and you know the ballot for tickets will start soon. Because if JE do not find you now, it could lead to some trouble.

Eg.
Your name (as it's ur membership)
C/O Your friends name
Address

In Japanese it could then look something like this, Let's say your name is Anna and your friend is called Sato in Last name...
アンナ様
佐藤方
東京、新宿区、西新宿2-43-XXX
〒XXX-YYY

"方" = C/O
In Japanese it would be "friend's name方"
As long as you have the C/O, they will leave your FC stuff in your friends postbox!



4. Do remember..
Although you can put C/O (方) on an address.
I also believe it's about being street smart. What I wanted to share if that, if you have a friend somewhere in Japan willing to help you. Then why not ask?! By saying this, to ballot etc it does take time, so be sure to explain it to your friend in case they are not into JE.
Also, JE do check the memberships now and then, if X has 10 memberships of the same FC, that will say one own and 9 c/o JE might check it up.
As you know the law is strict in Japan, so be aware, you don't want the FEDs to show up at your friend's door.