[midoridensha]

>In other places I have been to where there is a transport card system, anyone can buy a card, usually in a vending machine in a convenient location, and do everything with it. Locals may have nominative cards that work in the same way, but are also tied to an account.

Yep, this is how it is in Japan (but without the account bit). You buy a Suica or Passmo card at the airport when you arrive for 500 yen, "charge" it with a bunch of cash (which you helpfully get at the 7-bank ATM down the hall), then you can use that *everywhere in the whole country* for public transit, and many other things too if you want, like vending machines and many restaurants. (It's generally better to use a credit card for places that take it, but still, the option exists.) There's no advantage for locals either; everyone gets the same card, and it's not linked to any account.

Finally, when you're ready to leave the country, you can visit the customer service counter and surrender the card, and they will give you (in cash) the remaining balance on the card, plus the 500 yen deposit.

Also, unlike in Paris, you don't have to worry about any rude service people in Japan. Everyone is always polite here.