Opening a Japanese Bank Account as a Foreigner — Complete Guide to Documents, Megabanks vs Japan Post Bank vs Online Banks
Why the bank account comes first
Of all the procedures for settling in Japan, the bank account is the first gate people get stuck at. Receiving your salary, automatic rent payments, paying utility bills, and opening a NISA account — most of these require a Japanese bank account as a precondition, so if you cannot open one, everything else gets delayed in a chain. Start by understanding what you need and where it is advantageous to open one.
What to prepare before opening an account
- 在留カード (residence card) — you must bring the original
- A confirmed address — you need to have completed the move-in notification (住民異動届) so that your current address appears on your residence record (住民票). Many banks will refuse to open an account while you are still in temporary accommodation
- マイナンバー (My Number / individual number) verification documents — a My Number card, or a copy of your residence record showing your My Number, etc. It is not always a legal requirement for opening an ordinary deposit account, but many banks ask for it, and it is required for accounts related to investment or overseas remittance
- 印鑑 (inkan, personal seal) or a signature — depends on the bank and account type (see below)
- Contact information (having a phone number in Japan can work in your favor)
Where to open one — megabanks vs Japan Post Bank vs online banks
Japanese banks fall broadly into three types.
- Megabanks (三井住友, 三菱UFJ, みずほ, etc.) — wide branch networks and high credibility, but screening for new accounts opened by foreigners can be strict depending on the branch and the timing. If you are a company employee with clear proof of employment, you tend to be at an advantage.
- ゆうちょ銀行 (Japan Post Bank) — counters are available at any post office nationwide, so it is often recommended for people living in smaller regional cities or in the early stage of settling in. Note that overseas remittance and some services require separate confirmation.
- Neobanks / online-only banks (e.g. ソニー銀行, 楽天銀行) — many support fully online account opening, which makes them an alternative if visiting a Japanese-language counter feels daunting. However, the residence card / My Number verification process and the supported languages for online opening differ by bank, so before opening, be sure to check the procedures for foreigners in that bank's official guidance.
(* The banks mentioned in this article are examples introduced on the basis of name recognition and accessibility, with no affiliation with any specific bank, and we receive no compensation from any bank.)
⚠️ The required period of stay and residence status differ by bank, and policies can change over time. This article does not make definitive claims about any specific bank's requirements — check the latest guidance on the bank's official website before opening an account.
Online vs in-branch opening
- Online opening: completed by photographing and uploading your documents. Language support (English app, foreign-language guidance) varies by bank, so check in advance. Screening can take several days.
- In-branch opening: you go through the documents directly with a staff member, so errors can be corrected on the spot — but if communicating in Japanese is difficult, it is safer to bring an interpreter or look up a branch with foreign-language support in advance.
Seal account vs signature account
Traditionally, Japanese accounts were based on registering an 印鑑 (inkan, personal seal), but the number of banks and account types that can be opened with a signature alone is growing.
- A seal account requires a re-registration procedure if you lose the registered seal, which adds a management burden
- A signature account can be opened without a seal, lowering the barrier for foreigners — but not every bank or every counter supports it, so confirm before opening
What to do right after opening
- Register the account for salary payments — submit a copy of your bankbook and your account number to your company's HR staff
- Set up automatic payments for utilities and rent — putting electricity, gas, water, and rent on automatic account transfer makes everything easier to manage afterwards
- A bank account is a precondition for opening a NISA account, so if you are planning to invest, settle your bank account first — the detailed steps are covered in the 👉 NISA guide
Frequently asked questions
Q. Can international students open an account?
Yes. However, some banks require documents proving your student status, such as a certificate of enrollment, instead of proof of employment, so check in advance.
Q. Can I open one right away with just a residence card?
It depends on the bank. Many banks also require additional documents such as a residence record with a confirmed address and your My Number, so it is safest to visit after completing your move-in notification.
Q. Is it okay to open multiple accounts?
Yes. It is also common to split accounts by purpose — one for receiving salary, one for savings, and one linked to investment (NISA).
This article is a general guide to the procedure. Each bank's specific requirements, required documents, and screening criteria differ by bank and over time. For accurate details, always check the bank's official website or ask at a branch counter.