Opening a bank account in Japan for non-Japanese could be troublesome if you can not speak any Japanese. But it will not be a problem for you if you carefully read our guidelines and just follow our simple steps.
Step 1: Look For Banks that can offer English services, so taht you can open an account in English.
Here is a list of banks for your choices
SMBC PRESTIA
At SMBC PRESTIA:
No individual seal (inkan/hanko) is needed. Your signature will be enough.
Telephone/online banking has standard English procedure to guide you through whole process.
To save your time, try to contact the bank in advance for English-speaking service, some branch does not have this service.
Here is the online banking website for your reference:
https://login.smbctb.co.jp/ib/portal/POSNIN1prestiatop.prst?LOCALE=en_JP
Sony Bank
Simply just use there APP to apply account, which offers english service.
Here are the document needed/requirements:
Valid residence card
Valid Japanese health insurance card, Japan-issued driver's license, or Individual Number Card
Proof of employment or a document with your full name in Katakana
You are over 20 years old and resident in Japan
You have a valid address and phone number in Japan
You are an individual customer (not a business)
*Note that U.S. citizens or those with the jurisdiction of residence in countries other than Japan will be required to submit additional documentation.
For more information, please refer to the bank website here:
Rakuten Bank
Apply your account via smartphone or PC, for more information, check there website here+
https://www.rakuten-bank.co.jp/english/account/opening/
SEVEN BANK
You can open an account with debit service, with international money transfer service, or a normal account in Seven Bank, as they offers 3 kinds of account.
Check there account application website in English here:
https://www.sevenbank.co.jp/english/personal/account/application/
Shinsei Bank
They provice online application services and English-speaking service, just simply follow there steps online:
Japan Post Bank
Some big branches have English-speaking Staff to help you, but we strongly recommend you bring a Japnaese-speaking friend.
Step 2: Prepare Documents
No matter which bank you are going to apply, here is a list of the basic document needed.
1. Passport with valid visa.
NOTE that: if you are in Japan with a "90 days tour visa (traveler visa)" you can't open a Japanese bank account.
2. Residence Card with current address printed on the back.
3. Certification of residence with "my number" print. (This is for transfering fund to overseas.)
4. Tax identification in your country (not a must)
5. Certification of employment or your business card (not a must)
6. Japanese Phone Number
7. Personal seal (inkan/hanko), the SMBC bank we mentioned above does no need it , but most of the bank require this document.
Last but not least, here is some extra information that help you smooth your application process.
Opening time in most banks in Japan:
Monday to Friday: 9:00-15:00
In most of the case you can receive your bank card in the same day if you apply in a branch.
Initial deposit for opening account is normall 1000 yen.