Advice for banking in Japan

Opening a Bank Account in Japan

When opening a bank account in Japan, you will generally need the following:

• Residence card or passport
• Hanko (personal seal; some banks may accept a signature instead)
• Employee ID card or student ID card

You may also be asked to provide proof of your name, address, period of stay, status of residence, employment status, or other details. (This is a legal requirement to prevent fraud, so please do not worry.)

Once your account is opened, you can receive your salary and set up automatic payments. However, please note that:

• Some banks do not offer online banking services.
• You may need to apply separately for a credit or debit card through another service.

---

Important

Please notify your bank or financial institution immediately in the following situations:

• Any change in your address, period of stay, or status of residence
• If you leave your job or withdraw from your school/course
• If you lose your bankbook or cash card
• When returning to your home country (please close your bank account before leaving)

⚠️ Note: It is illegal to lend or transfer your bank account to another person or third party.

---

Sending Money Overseas

If you plan to send money overseas using your bank, please keep in mind:

• You may be asked to provide documents proving the purpose of the transfer.
• International transfers may take some time to process.

There are also many other services that offer international money transfers. Please take the time to research which option is best for you.