Opening a Bank Account

The Sequencing Logic

Open accounts in this sequence. The logic is simple: easier accounts build the residency and banking history that unlocks harder ones.

1. 01

   Japan Post Bank (ゆうちょ銀行) — Day 7+

   The most accessible account for recent arrivals. Requires only a residence card, passport, and 2 weeks of registered residency. In-person at any post office.

2. 02

   Rakuten Bank or SBI Sumishin Net Bank — Week 2+

   Online applications. More functional for daily banking than Japan Post. Apply immediately after ward office registration.

3. 03

   Sony Bank — Month 2+

   Best FX rates. Apply after your Japan Post account is active — it demonstrates banking history.

4. 04

   Major city bank (SMBC, MUFG, Mizuho) — Month 6+

   Best for enterprise-level credibility. Require established residency and often employment documentation.

Japan Post Bank — Step by Step

• Go to any post office (郵便局) — not just the Japan Post Bank branches. Any post office handles the application.
• Take a number and wait for the counter. Average wait: 10–30 minutes.
• Documents: residence card (在留カード), passport, ¥1,000 minimum deposit in cash.
• Fill out the application form (provided at the counter). Name in romaji is fine.
• You may be asked for your phone number — a Japanese number is preferred but not always required.
• Account is activated immediately. Passbook (通帳) and cash card issued on the spot or mailed within 7–10 days.
• Important: Japan Post Bank uses a passbook system. The card (キャッシュカード) comes separately by mail if not issued in-person.

Rakuten Bank — Step by Step

1. 01

   Go to Rakuten Bank website and start application

   Apply online at bank.rakuten.co.jp. No need to visit a branch.

2. 02

   Enter personal information

   Name (romaji), Japanese address, date of birth, occupation, and purpose of account.

3. 03

   Identity verification (eKYC)

   Upload a video or photos of your residence card front and back plus a selfie. This is the standard process. Processing: 2–5 business days.

4. 04

   Receive account confirmation email

   Check spam folder. Contains your account number and temporary password.

5. 05

   Cash card delivery

   Arrives by mail within 7–10 business days. Sign for it — someone must be home.

6. 06

   Set up internet banking

   Log in, set PIN, link your phone for 2FA. The app (楽天銀行) is in English under settings.

• Japanese phone number is required for SMS verification during application
• If rejected: wait 3 months and reapply. Do not apply multiple times in quick succession — it flags your profile
• Initial deposit: ¥1 minimum. Fund the account via Japan Post Bank transfer or cash at a convenience store (コンビニ入金)

Corporate Bank Account — The Hard Part

If you have incorporated a Japanese company, you need a corporate bank account. This is significantly harder to open than a personal account, particularly for foreign-led companies.

• Required documents: corporate registration certificate (登記事項証明書, issued within 3 months), articles of incorporation, company seal registration certificate, director's residence card and passport, proof of business activity (contracts, invoices, website)
• Banks to start with: PayPay Bank, SBI Business Banking, GMO Aozora Net Bank. These are meaningfully more foreigner-friendly than city banks.
• Application is in-person at a branch and includes an interview — prepare a clear explanation of your business in Japanese or bring a translator
• Timeline: 2–8 weeks from application to account opening. Rejections happen — apply to multiple banks simultaneously.
• Avoid: using a virtual office address that has been flagged by banks. Research your provider's reputation before committing.

Common Rejection Reasons and Solutions

• Insufficient residency period: wait 6 weeks from address registration before applying to online banks
• Virtual office address flagged: switch to a reputable shared office provider or physical address
• Employment documentation mismatch: ensure your stated income matches what you can document
• Too many recent applications: rejections are visible in credit checks. Wait 3 months between applications.
• Incomplete online verification: upload clear, well-lit photos of documents. Blurry scans are rejected automatically.
• No Japanese phone number: get a SIM card first — even a basic data SIM from IIJmio works for registration