Open the right account, understand fees, and fix common problems.
A Japanese bank account is the anchor of daily money life: salary deposits, rent and utility auto-payments (口座振替), and the account you link to cards, brokerages, and remittance apps. Most residents can open an account once they have a residence card and, often, a My Number and a Japanese phone number and address.
Legacy megabanks (MUFG, SMBC, Mizuho) offer branches and broad recognition, while online banks (Rakuten Bank, Sony Bank, SBI) usually offer better apps, lower fees, and stronger integration with points and investing. A few banks — notably SMBC Trust Bank PRESTIA and Sony Bank — are known for English support and foreign-currency features.
The practical questions are almost always the same: which documents you need, whether the app and support work in English, what ATM and transfer fees apply, and how to handle name formatting (katakana), address changes, and residence-card updates. Those are the things this section helps you research before you apply.
The documents, choices, and common snags when opening your first Japanese bank account.
With a residence card and a Japanese address you can open an account at most banks; online banks and English-friendly banks are the usual starting points.How to compare banks on English support, fees, apps, and foreign-currency needs.
For English support and foreign currency, research SMBC Trust Bank PRESTIA and Sony Bank; for low fees and daily use, Rakuten Bank and other online banks are strong.Online bank · Sony Bank
An online bank popular with residents who want strong foreign-currency features, a well-regarded app, and comparatively English-friendly service.
Fees: No monthly account fee; ATM/transfer fees depend on tier — verify current schedule.
Bank (English support) · SMBC Trust Bank
The bank most often recommended for English-language service, multi-currency accounts, and international needs, aimed at globally minded residents.
Fees: Account and transfer fees vary; balance-based fee waivers apply — verify current schedule.
Online bank · Rakuten Bank
Japan’s large online bank, tightly integrated with the Rakuten ecosystem (card, points, securities) and popular for everyday banking.
Fees: No monthly fee; ATM/transfer fees depend on account rank — verify current schedule.
Bank · SBI Shinsei Bank
A bank historically noted for some English support and foreign-currency services, now part of the SBI group.
Fees: Fees depend on program tier — verify current schedule.
Bank (nationwide) · Japan Post Bank
A bank with the widest branch and ATM network in Japan, often accessible for new residents and useful in rural areas.
Fees: Basic account has no monthly fee; some transfer/ATM fees apply — verify current schedule.
You generally need a residence card (在留カード), a Japanese address, and often a Japanese phone number and a personal seal (hanko) or signature. Some banks also ask for a My Number, and a few require six months of residency before opening. Online banks (Rakuten Bank, Sony Bank) and English-friendly banks (SMBC Trust Bank PRESTIA) are common starting points. Requirements differ by bank, so confirm on the provider’s page before applying.
SMBC Trust Bank PRESTIA and Sony Bank are the most commonly cited for English-language service, apps, and foreign-currency features. Rakuten Bank and SBI Shinsei Bank offer partial English support. Megabanks have limited English at most branches. If English support is essential, verify the current app language and support hours on the bank’s official site, because these change.
Online banks (Rakuten Bank, Sony Bank, SBI) usually win on lower fees, better apps, and integration with points and investing. Megabanks (MUFG, SMBC, Mizuho) help when you need physical branches, corporate accounts, or dealings that still expect a major bank. Many residents keep both: a megabank for salary or official uses, and an online bank for daily money and saving.
Common reasons are an expired residence card or out-of-date registered information, suspected fraud or unusual activity, dormancy, or anti-money-laundering checks. Keep your address and residency status updated with the bank, respond promptly to identity-verification requests, and avoid receiving unexplained large transfers. If restricted, contact the bank directly — never through a link in an unexpected message.
Yes, employment is usually not required to open a basic deposit account — a residence card and address are the core requirements. Students and dependents routinely open accounts. Employment matters more for credit cards and loans than for opening a bank account itself. Requirements vary, so check the specific bank.