Just arrived in Japan and already stuck because you cannot receive your salary without a bank account, or your apartment contract requires one? This article is a full guide on required documents, the 6-month rule, and recommended banks for foreign residents opening a bank account in Japan.
Table of Contents
Why is it Hard for Foreigners to Open a Bank Account?
For anti-money-laundering reasons, many Japanese banks refuse to open accounts for foreigners with less than 6 months of residence. However, not every bank follows this rule. The banks below accept applicants immediately after arrival.
5 Recommended Banks for Foreigners
1. Japan Post Bank (Yucho Ginko)
- OK to open even with less than 6 months of residence (most post offices accept)
- ATMs and counters in every corner of Japan
- Overseas remittance available
- Cash card arrives in 1 to 2 weeks
2. Rakuten Bank (Online Bank)
- Application completed online
- Earn Rakuten Points
- Usually requires 6 months or more of residence
3. MUFG / Mizuho / Sumitomo Mitsui (Megabanks)
- High reliability, ATMs nationwide
- Usually requires 6 months or more of residence, and most branches only handle Japanese
- Some central-Tokyo branches have multilingual staff
4. Seven Bank
- Application forms in multiple languages (English, Chinese, Vietnamese, Portuguese, Spanish, etc.)
- 7-Eleven ATMs available 24 hours a day
- Usually requires 6 months or more of residence
5. SBI Shinsei Bank
- Multilingual support (English)
- Low fees for overseas remittance
- Fully online
Required Documents (Common to All Banks)
- Residence Card (copy of both sides required)
- Passport
- Juminhyo (Certificate of Residence) or a Certificate of Residence with Registered Items (about 300 yen at the city hall)
- Proof of current address (utility bill or similar)
- Personal seal (Inkan) (some banks allow a signature instead)
- My Number Notification Card or My Number Card
- A Japanese phone number
Steps to Open an Account
- Choose a bank: pick based on your residence period, language support, and remittance needs
- Prepare documents: get a Juminhyo at the city hall and keep utility bills
- Apply at the counter or online
- Screening (1 to 2 weeks)
- Receive cash card and passbook (for mail delivery, use a verified-delivery service)
Common Mistakes and Tips
- If you are refused for having less than 6 months of residence, try Japan Post Bank
- If your passport name exceeds 31 characters, some banks will error on transfers. Consider a short form of your name
- Foreign-language seals (Inkan) are acceptable. Available at 100-yen shops or seal specialty stores
- Before leaving Japan, always close your account. If left dormant, fees may accrue
Summary
- For brand-new arrivals, Japan Post Bank is the easiest
- For fully online, Rakuten Bank or Seven Bank
- For cheap overseas remittance, SBI Shinsei Bank or Japan Post Bank
- Prepare Residence Card, Passport, Juminhyo, My Number, and a Seal
Conditions are as of April 2026. Please check each bank’s official website for the latest information.
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