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Opening a bank account in Japan

If you live in Japan for a long-term, longer than 6 months, it is better to have a bank account at the Japanese bank, especially for the following reasons.

- It is convenient as you can use automatic payment service for monthly payments of water, hydro, phone bills, etc. (Applications are required to use the service)

- In most cases, salary is paid directly into a bank account. You may need a bank account to receive a wage even for other part-time jobs.

- You may be required to have a bank account when you apply for a mobile phone. (It is not required if you pay the phone bill by a credit card in Japan)

Type of Accounts

In Japan, you can open a Savings Account (Futsuu-yokin Kouza 普通預金口座) for personal use. A Checking account (Touza-yokin Kouza 当座預金口座) is basically only available for corporate use, whereas you cannot pay for shopping purchases by check. If you want to have an account only for depositing, a Time Deposit Account (Teiki Yokin Kouza 定期預金口座) is available for personal use.

How to open a bank account

To open a bank account, you need to visit a bank and bring the following; 

1)Residence card 在留カード (Zairyu Card)

When you start living in Japan, you are required to register at the local government office in the city you live in, where the residence card is issued.

Students and technical interns will additionally need to bring other documents - a student card and an employment card.

2)Hanko (Japanese Seal)

There are cases where you are required to use a Hanko (or called Inkan) instead of a signature. It is depends on the bank you apply for. 
Hanko (Inkan) is usually required to open an account at Japanese banks.

3) Your name in Katakana (Opetional)

Katakana shows how your name is pronounced in Japanese. For example, John would be like "ジョン".

4) Select a 4 number password

You can select 4 numbers for the password of your cash card (in other countries this numbered password is the same as a PIN: Personal Identification Number) You are not allow to use the simple order of numbers like your birthday date or phone number for security reasons. 

5) Deposit Money

You are required to make an initial deposit of cash into your bank account. You should deposit at least 1000 yen.

When your application is accepted, the bank gives you a Bankbook (Yokin Tsuucho) to record your balance at the ATM. Your cash card is sent by registered-mail to your address at a letter date. 

A Tips and Reminders

There is an understanding that it is not easy to apply for a bank account by non-Japanese for the following reasons.

To avoid these problems, it is better to go with a Japanese person, like a friend or colleague, who speaks Japanese.

Related Information

Information about bank account opening by Post Bank
https://www.jp-bank.japanpost.jp/kaisetu/kat_gaikokujin.html

Japanese Bankers Association
https://www.zenginkyo.or.jp/en/

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