I need a Japanese bank account so my company can transfer my salary.
Q. I need a Japanese bank account so my company can transfer my salary.
A. Anybody can open a Japanese Bank account. There a several different kinds of accounts (mostly concerned with savings) so be sure you get a normal account a so called Futsu Koza.
Simply fill in the application form, it may be bilingual but if not get one of the lobby helpers to guide you. You will need two forms of ID. Your passport is best and one other. Deposit some starter cash and you will receive a bank book with your account number in it. It’s that number your employer will need along with the name of the branch when they transfer your salary.
Thinking ahead, if you are living for some time in Japan get yourself a simple personal stamp with your name on it, so called Hanko. It’s not necessary but it saves a lot of time when doing business in Japan.
After opening the account the Bank will post on to you your ATM cash card.
Remember it’s not a credit card. Applying for and getting a credit card from Japanese Bank requires more qualifications and more paperwork.
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February 17th, 2005 at 4:43 am
Atleast in sanwa bank even a foreigner can open an account without problems.. or money.. you only need to have 1 yen to deposit so you can open an account or to keep it valid. there are sanwa banks atleast all around tokyo and most atm´s accept the card.
November 18th, 2005 at 11:07 am
You guys forget to mention that to open a bank account in Japan you need a Japanese ID card and must have a 6 month visa.
How can I open an account without a visa? Without an JP ID card?
December 1st, 2005 at 6:59 pm
The second comment is completely wrong. I just opened an account at the bank of Yokohama today and all I needed was my drivers license or passport and a Hanko stamp. No japanese id or 6 month visa. The whole process only took about 10 minutes. And as said in the first comment you only need to deposit 1 yen!!!
January 12th, 2006 at 4:59 pm
What bank did you go to that would let you open an account with the alien registration card? I went to both MUFJ and Bank of Yokohama today, and both turned me down without that card.
To the 3rd comment, which specific branch did you go to? That will help a lot of people.
September 8th, 2006 at 8:12 pm
And nowadays law has changed : you must have stayed at least 6 months in Japan to open a bank account