Cashing Money Orders in Japan

[StangGuy]

Has anyone had problems cashing an international postal money order in Japan? If so how did you get it cashed? I'm asking because I sent one to my wife and the post office said they couldn't accept it. I'm thinking it is simply because it is a smaller post office and they don't deal with them very often.
Thanks for any suggestions.

[Sangetsu]

Checks and money orders are almost unkown in Japan. You could try Suruga bank, as they handle Western Union, and cash money transfer checks (though they will be discontinuing Western Union service this month). Otherwise, you could try Citibank, or Shinsei Bank.

Next time do a bank-to-bank wire transfer, or send cash in an overnight envelope

[StangGuy]

As a follow up on this, my wife did get the money order cashed at a different post office. Apparently the workers at the post office in Hiroshima Station are a bit clueless.

Also, if you do send cash and Japanese customs opens it, they will call the reciepient and tell them that a money order should be used instead of cash.