It is necessary for foreign residents in Japan to open a bank account in order to receive their income, make everyday purchases, and pay utility bills. In this article, we will go through the requirements for opening a bank account, as well as verification documents and banks with English-speaking clerks.

If you would like to know about e-money in Japan, please read: Electronic Money in Japan

What You Need for Opening a Bank Account

Listed here below are examples of what normally Japanese banks require.

＊ Passport with valid visa: if you are in Japan with a “90 days visitor’s visa (tourist visa)” you cannot open a bank account.

＊ Residence Card (Zairyu Card) with your current address printed on the back

＊ Certificate of residence with your “My Number” printed (if you plan to transfer funds to overseas)

＊ Tax identification number if issued in your country (if asked)

＊ Certificate of Employment

＊ (Japanese) phone number

＊ Personal Seal (Inkan/Hanko): Some banks mentioned below (ex: SMBC Prestia, Shinsei Bank) do not require this and you can open an account with your signature.

＊ Marriage certificate or Residence certificate with your partner’s name on ( For a supplementary card)

Note: Please contact the bank for further details before you visit there as they may require different documents

English Speaking (Bilingual) Banks in Japan

At these banks below, you can open an account in English.

PRESTIA

At SMBC PRESTIA you don't need a personal seal (inkan/hanko) to open an account (your signature is effective) and telephone / online banking come as standard in English. Although they offer services in English, there is a chance that there is no English speaking stuff at your nearest branch, therefore we advice you to contact them in advance.

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Sony Bank

At Sony Bank you can open an account via the app in English. Simply follow their easy steps, there's no difficult paperwork required. You can find how to open an account and necessary documents here.

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Rakuten Bank

At Rakuten Bank you can apply to open an account in English via your PC or smartphone.

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SEVEN BANK

SEVEN BANK offers 3 types of accounts, simply follow the instructions in English.

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Shinsei Bank

At Shinsei Bank telephone / online banking are available in English.

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Japan Post Bank

Opening an account at Japan Post Bank is also an option. This can be done at most Post Offices across Japan. You may find a branch with an English speaker who can assist you however, most postal workers will probably be speaking primarily Japanese. It is advisable to bring a Japanese friend or colleague to assist you. Information on opening an account is posted on the website in multiple languages.

Paying Utility Bills

Utility bills are usually paid via withdrawal from your bank account, such as electricity, water, and gas. Please follow the instructions to have your bills deducted, as this is a handy way to eliminate the inconvenience of paying at a bank or convenience store every month.

Receiving a Bank Card (Cash Card)

Your card will be delivered to your home address via registered mail approximately one week after you open an account.

Money Transfers To or From Japan

Please refer to: International Money Transfers