Opening a Bank Account in Japan — Complete Guide
EN: To receive your salary, pay rent, or pay utility bills in Japan, you will almost always need a Japanese bank account. There are two main types: a traditional bank with branches (店舗型銀行) like a "megabank" or regional bank, and an online-only bank (ネット銀行). Requirements and ease of opening an account can depend heavily on your visa status and remaining period of stay (在留期間). Exact rules and minimum residency requirements are set individually by each bank and change over time — always confirm with the specific bank before visiting.
やさしい日本語: 日本(にほん)で給料(きゅうりょう)をもらったり、家賃(やちん)や 公共料金(こうきょうりょうきん)を払(はら)ったりするには、銀行口座(ぎんこうこうざ)が ほとんど必要(ひつよう)です。銀行には「店舗型(てんぽがた)」(窓口(まどぐち)がある銀行)と 「ネット銀行(ぎんこう)」(窓口がない銀行)があります。あなたの在留資格(ざいりゅうしかく)や 在留期間(ざいりゅうきかん)によって、口座(こうざ)が作(つく)れるかどうかが変(か)わることが あります。銀行ごとに条件(じょうけん)が違(ちが)い、変(か)わることもあるので、必(かなら)ず 窓口や公式サイトで確認(かくにん)してください。
Write EXACTLY as on your 在留カード (Residence Card), same order, same spelling. 例: NGUYEN VAN A
Katakana version of your name. If unsure, ask the bank staff to help transliterate it consistently
Often written in 西暦 (Western year) or Japanese era (令和/平成) — check which the form wants
Must match the address on your 住民票 (Certificate of Residence) or 在留カード. A recent utility bill (issued within 6 months, showing your name and address) can also be accepted as address proof at many banks, in addition to or instead of the 住民票
Whether a Japanese mobile number is required depends on the bank AND the application method — online/app applications usually require one for SMS verification, while some in-branch applications do not. Check with your chosen bank
Top right of the card: 2 letters + 8 numbers + 2 letters
Copy from Residence Card. 例: 技術・人文知識・国際業務 / 技能実習 / 留学 / 家族滞在
Copy from Residence Card. Many banks require your residence period to have a minimum amount of time left as of the application date (for example, some major banks and Japan Post Bank will not open an account if your visa expires within 3 months) — this minimum differs by bank, so confirm the specific bank's rule with the branch or official website
Company name, and sometimes address/phone, as on your 在留カード or employment contract
Some traditional banks still ask for a personal seal (印鑑/はんこ) to register on the account; many now also allow a signature instead — for example, Japan Post Bank explicitly accepts a signature if you don't have a 印鑑. Whether a specific bank requires a seal or accepts a signature differs by bank, so ask before assuming you need to buy one
A 4-digit number you choose. Do not use your birthday or simple sequences (0000, 1234)
Many banks require that your remaining period of stay be a certain minimum length as of the application date to open a standard account — for example, Japan Post Bank will not open an account if your residence period expires within 3 months of your application, and some major banks apply a similar rule. The exact minimum differs by bank, so if your visa is close to expiring, ask the bank directly whether you're eligible, or wait until after you renew.
Almost all banks require your Residence Card as ID under Japan's anti-money-laundering identity verification law (犯罪収益移転防止法), which generally requires the original document to be shown in person (not a photo/copy) — a passport alone is usually not enough for a resident account. Bring the physical card.
Traditional branch banks historically required a registered personal seal. This is changing at many banks, and some — including Japan Post Bank — now explicitly accept a signature (サイン) instead, especially for foreign residents. Whether your specific bank requires a seal differs by bank — confirm before assuming you need to buy a 印鑑.
ネット銀行 often have simpler, faster online-only application processes and may not require visiting a branch, but some still require you to receive and activate a card by mail at your registered address. 店舗型銀行 (branch banks) may require an in-person visit but can offer more in-person support in your language at certain branches. Compare based on your needs — neither is universally "better," and details of each bank's process should be checked on its official website.
Some banks are cautious about opening accounts for people who very recently arrived in Japan, due to anti-fraud/anti-money-laundering rules, and staff have discretion in how they apply this. You may be asked for additional proof of address, employment, or purpose of the account, or be declined at one branch and accepted at another. This is not personal — it applies broadly, and is not something this guide can guarantee the outcome of for your specific case.
Whether a Japanese phone number is needed for identity verification depends on the bank and application method (online applications more often require SMS verification than in-branch ones), which can create a "chicken and egg" problem if you also need a bank account to get a phone plan. Check which one your chosen bank/carrier combination allows you to get first (see also the D3 mobile phone contract guide)
*Provided free by Japan Paperwork. Not legal or financial advice. For individual account or visa questions, consult the specific bank branch, their official website, or a licensed 行政書士 (immigration specialist) for visa-related concerns. / 個別の口座条件・在留資格の相談は各銀行窓口、または行政書士(専門家)へ。*
ビザの ルールの へんこう、ぜいきんの しめきり、もらえる お金の おしらせが、まいしゅう とどきます。
よやくする(むりょう)おしえて ください。むりょうの ガイドを つくります。なまえは いりません。