How Foreigners Open a Bank Account in Japan【2026 Step-by-Step】
📋 Table of Contents
Living in Japan, you can't get by without a bank account — salary deposits, rent debits, tax payments all require one. Foreigners with a residence card and registered address can open an account at most banks. However, those in Japan less than 6 months are treated as "non-residents" and may be declined. This guide covers pre-application preparation, opening steps by bank, and common rejection cases with fixes.
- A residence card may be enough to open an account, but short-stay visas (tourist, short-term work, etc.) are generally not eligible.
- Those in Japan less than 6 months often face stricter screening — start with Yucho Bank or Seven Bank first.
- Your residence card, My Number (individual number), and Juminhyo are the three core documents; online banks especially require My Number.
- Common rejection reasons include address mismatch with your residence card, residence period too short, or incomplete occupation field.
This is a hands-on guide — from preparing documents to opening steps by bank and tips to avoid rejection — so you can actually open an account. To see which banks are easier to open, compare them in the bank account guide for foreigners.
① Before You Start
Complete these 3 things before applying. Without them, your application will stall whether at a branch or via app.
② Documents Checklist
Documents to present/submit when applying
- Residence card (copy/photo of both sides)
- Passport (sometimes requested as secondary ID)
- My Number (notification or Individual Number Card)
- Juminhyo or other official proof of current address
- Japanese phone number (mobile/landline)
- Personal seal (inkan) (more banks now accept signatures — check first)
- Employer/school information (certificate of employment/enrollment sometimes required)
③ Which Bank to Choose (Quick Table)
The easiest bank depends on how long you've been in Japan, employment status, and purpose. Start with this table.
| Bank | Just arrived | Method | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Japan Post Bank (Yucho) | Easy | Branch | Available at post offices nationwide. Relatively flexible even with a short stay. Best first account |
| Seven Bank | Easy | App/ATM | Multilingual application flow. May accept under-6-month residents with a certificate of employment. |
| SBI Sumishin Net Bank | After employment | Online | Low fees and strong for international transfers. Resident registration + employer info improves approval odds. |
| Rakuten Bank | After employment | Online | App-complete. Earn points via salary deposit and Rakuten services. |
| MUFG / SMBC / Mizuho | Stricter | Branch | Reliable for salary accounts. Realistic after securing a job rather than right after arrival. |
④ Open via Mobile App (Seven Bank Example)
⑤ Open at a Branch (Japan Post Bank Example)
⑥ Open Online (SBI Sumishin / Rakuten Example)
Net banks are fully online. Realistic once you have resident registration and employer details. Fees are low and international transfers are convenient (SBI Sumishin pairs well with Wise).
⑦ Common Rejections & Fixes
⑧ After You Open the Account
- Designate it for salary deposits: Give your account number to your employer.
- Set up rent & utility debits: Submit direct-debit forms to your real estate agency and utility companies.
- Manage your PIN: Choose a 4-digit PIN different from your birthday or phone number. Don't share it even with family.
- Register for online banking: Balance checks, transfers, and remittances from your phone — especially handy for international transfers.
- Prepare for overseas transfers: If you plan to send money home, compare fees and delivery speed in our overseas remittance services comparison. For transfers to China, see the Japan-to-China remittance guide.
- Apply for a credit card: After a few months of salary deposits, approval becomes much easier. Worried about approval? See 5 credit cards for foreigners (ranked by approval ease).
- Start building assets & investing: Once your salary account is stable, you can plan for the future too. For how to open a brokerage account, see foreigners can open a securities account (step-by-step); for the tax-advantaged NISA, see NISA complete guide for foreigners.
⑨ FAQ
A. At Japan Post Bank or Seven Bank, you may be able to with a residence card and resident registration. Net banks and megabanks are realistic after 6+ months of residence and securing employment.
A. Generally no. Complete the reissuance procedure at the Immigration Services Agency and apply after receiving your new card.
A. Branch openings at Yucho and megabanks usually require a seal (an everyday one is fine), but signature accounts are increasingly accepted. Net banks are signature-only — no seal needed.
A. Yes. Splitting by purpose — megabank for salary, net bank for savings, Wise pairing for transfers — is legal and convenient. However, multiple accounts at the same bank may not be allowed.
A. Visit the branch where you opened the account with ID documents (residence card, passbook, registered seal) to reset it. It generally can't be changed by phone or online.
A. Yes, we recommend closing it. Unused accounts become dormant and may not be reactivatable when you return. If you still owe resident tax, appoint a tax manager before closing.
After opening an account, see the PayPay guide for everyday payments — it links to your bank account or card.