Key Takeaways: If you’ve been in Japan under 6 months and don’t work full-time here, you count as a non-resident and many banks won’t open a regular account. Japan Post Bank is the realistic first choice if at least 3 months remain on your residence card. Cards issued from 14 June 2026 can’t yet be used for Mizuho’s online or Seven Bank’s ATM and online applications, so apply at a branch.
For foreign residents & students
Before you open a bank account
in Japan, know these 3 rules
in Japan, know these 3 rules
The 6-month rule, 3 months left on your residence card, and the new residence cards issued from June 2026. Checked against each bank’s official pages on 29 Sep 2026.
Left on your card3months+
Resident status after6months
Banks compared10
Key takeaways
- If you’ve been in Japan less than 6 months and don’t work full-time for a company here, the foreign exchange law treats you as a non-resident, and many banks won’t open a regular account. Japan Post Bank is the realistic first choice: its official page for foreigners doesn’t mention the 6-month rule.
- Full-time employees of an office in Japan (not part-timers) can open accounts at banks such as AEON Bank and Mizuho even within 6 months, with proof of employment.
- With less than 3 months left on your residence card, Japan Post, Mizuho, AEON and Seven Bank all refuse applications. Renew first.
- Residence cards issued from 14 June 2026 (including the new specified residence card) can’t be used for Mizuho’s online application or Seven Bank’s ATM and online applications for now. Go to a branch.
- Never sell or lend your account. It’s a crime punishable by up to 3 years in prison or a fine of up to ¥5 million. Close your account before leaving Japan.
- Open a passbook-free account: the megabanks charge for paper passbooks on new accounts (¥550 a year at MUFG and SMBC, ¥1,100 per passbook at Mizuho).
Contents
- The short answer: where to open your first account
- Why many banks turn you away in your first 6 months
- What to bring
- Seven banks compared for foreign residents
- Online banks: Rakuten, PayPay, SBI Sumishin, Sony
- The Japanese application form, field by field
- Step by step
- Skip the paper passbook: it costs money
- Japanese phrases for the bank counter
- If you’re refused or your account is restricted
- Three things to do after opening
- Next: credit cards, transfers and fees
- FAQ
- Sources
The short answer: where to open your first account
In Japan your salary, rent, phone bill and credit card are almost all paid by bank transfer or direct debit, so a bank account is the first thing you’ll need. Start by matching your situation to the right bank.
Just arrived, less than 6 months (students etc.)
- Japan Post Bank (Yucho): its official page for foreigners has no 6-month rule; you just need at least 3 months left on your residence card.
- If your status is Student or Technical Intern Training, bring your student or employee ID. No ID yet? Japan Post Bank has a certificate of enrollment/employment form your school or employer can fill in.
- The Yucho Tetsuzuki app works in English, Simplified Chinese and Vietnamese as well as Japanese.
Working full-time for a company in Japan
- You can open an account within your first 6 months if you work at an office in Japan (part-time jobs don’t count).
- Use the bank your employer designates for salary if there is one; it saves transfers later.
- AEON Bank, or Mizuho Bank online with a copy of your employee ID or employment certificate, are options.
In Japan for 6 months or more
- Most megabanks and online banks are open to you; choose by what you need.
- To keep fees down, compare the megabanks in our megabank comparison.
- Planning a credit card? Use your main account for the card payments.
Your residence card was issued on or after 14 June 2026
- Mizuho’s online application and Seven Bank’s ATM and online applications don’t accept these new cards for now.
- Apply at a branch, and bring your passport and a copy of your resident record just in case (Mizuho says it may ask for them).
- Japan Post Bank states that the new specified residence card (combined with the My Number card) is accepted.
Why many banks turn you away in your first 6 months
It comes from Japan’s Foreign Exchange and Foreign Trade Act. Foreign nationals who have been in Japan less than 6 months are, in principle, non-residents, and banks either refuse regular accounts to non-residents or restrict them. The exception is people working at an office in Japan: AEON Bank says they can open accounts within 6 months, as long as the job isn’t part-time.
How each bank handles this:
- AEON Bank: no applications within 6 months of entry (except people working at an office in Japan). It checks the date of permission or the date you became a registered foreign resident on your residence card.
- MUFG Bank: people who don’t work in Japan and arrived less than 6 months ago are treated as non-residents, with some products unavailable and restrictions on transactions. Once you pass 6 months, you can switch to a resident account by bringing your passbook, registered seal, residence card and proof of employment or of 6 months since entry.
- Mizuho Bank (online): within 6 months of entry, full-time employees submit a copy of their employee ID or employment certificate; others submit a copy of their previous residence card.
- Seven Bank: residents only; online applicants within 6 months of entry must submit proof of employment.
- Japan Post Bank: its official page for foreigners doesn’t include this rule, which is why it’s the realistic first bank for newcomers.
What to bring
1Residence card (required)Including the specified residence card introduced in June 2026. At least 3 months must remain (stated by Japan Post, Mizuho, AEON and Seven Bank).
2Student or employee IDRequired if your status is Student or Technical Intern Training (Japan Post, Mizuho).
3Extra documents within 6 monthsProof you’ve been here 6 months (passport, previous residence card, resident record) or proof you work at a company in Japan (employee ID, employment contract, notice of working conditions). These are AEON Bank’s examples.
4Passport and hankoBring your passport in case it’s requested. Mizuho branches require a personal seal (rubber stamps like Shachihata aren’t accepted).
Your name and address must match your ID exactly
SMBC says it can’t open an account if your name or address differs from your ID. Apply under your legal name as shown on your residence card; if you want to use an alias, Mizuho requires your resident record.
Seven banks compared for foreign residents
| Bank | How foreigners apply | Under 6 months | Other notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Japan Post Bank | Branch app (English, Chinese) | Not mentioned on its page for foreigners | 3+ months left on card students bring ID passbook may be mailed later |
| MUFG Bank | Branch only (no app for foreign nationals) | Treated as non-resident (unless working in Japan) | Some restrictions book ahead |
| SMBC (Olive) | Online branch | Non-residents may face restrictions | Online needs 1–2 IDs besides your card |
| Mizuho Bank | Branch online | Online: employee ID, or copy of previous card | Online rejects cards issued from 14 June 2026 branch needs a hanko |
| AEON Bank | Branch only (no online with residence card) | Not accepted (unless working at an office) | 3+ months left on card no international transfers |
| Rakuten Bank | Online | Check official page | Residence card + second ID with full name; close if you leave Japan |
| Seven Bank | ATM online | Residents only online needs job proof | 3+ months left on card new cards from 14 June 2026 not accepted for now |
Checked against official sites on 29 Sep 2026 (Mizuho’s page dated 24 July 2026). Conditions change, so check the bank’s site before you go. Opening an account is subject to each bank’s review.
Online banks: Rakuten, PayPay, SBI Sumishin, Sony
Online banks save you a branch visit, but you’ll usually scan your residence card’s IC chip with your phone or upload photos, and instructions and support are mostly in Japanese. Here’s what they require from foreign nationals:
| Bank | Requirements for foreign nationals (official) | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| Rakuten Bank | Residence card (required) plus a second ID showing your full name | Use the same spelling as your card close the account if you leave Japan |
| PayPay Bank | Open to anyone living in Japan; from age 16, scan your residence card’s IC chip and take a selfie | Must be a resident under the foreign exchange law; Japanese- only support; close before leaving |
| SBI Sumishin Net Bank | An ID that shows your nationality (e.g. residence card) | US citizens must apply by mail |
| Sony Bank | Show your new residence card after renewing | If you don’t, some or all transactions are restricted from the day after your card expires |
Checked against official sites on 29 Sep 2026.
If you want to do everything in English: SMBC Trust Bank PRESTIA has an English app and online banking, and its cash card doubles as a Visa debit card (GLOBAL PASS). You need at least 3 months left on your residence card, and you must have been in Japan 6 months or work at an office in Japan. There’s a ¥2,200 monthly maintenance fee (tax included), waived only in months when you meet a condition such as an average balance of ¥500,000 or more across yen and foreign currencies.
The Japanese application form, field by field
Under the Act on Prevention of Transfer of Criminal Proceeds, banks must confirm your identity, occupation and purpose for opening the account, so these fields appear on the form. Wording differs by bank; follow the instructions on the actual form.
| Japanese field | Meaning | How to fill it in |
|---|---|---|
| お名前・フリガナ | Name / name in katakana | Your legal name as on your residence card; katakana for how it’s pronounced |
| 国籍・地域 | Nationality | As on your residence card |
| 在留資格・在留期間（満了日） | Status of residence / expiry date | As on your residence card. Less than 3 months left means most banks will refuse |
| ご職業 | Occupation | 会社員 = employee, 学生 = student, 自営業 = self-employed, 主婦・主夫 = homemaker |
| 勤務先・学校名 | Employer / school | Students write their school name |
| お取引の目的 | Purpose of the account | 生活費の決済 = living expenses, 給与の受取 = receiving salary, 貯蓄 = savings |
| 米国納税義務の有無 | US tax obligation | Declare it if you’re a US citizen or green card holder (FATCA check) |
Step by step
- Check which banks you qualify for
Your entry date, time left on your residence card, and whether you work full-time in Japan. Compare with the table above. - Book an appointment or prepare the form
MUFG recommends booking a branch visit. Japan Post Bank lets you fill in the application form online in several languages, or apply in its app. - Go with your documents
Residence card, student or employee ID, passport, and a hanko if needed. Japan Post Bank says it may ask you to bring someone who understands Japanese if you can’t follow explanations in Japanese. - Wait for the review
Checks take longer for foreign applicants; Japan Post Bank may mail your passbook later instead of opening the account on the day. Applications can also be refused. - Set up the app or online banking once the passbook or card arrives
Then point your salary and card payments to this account.
Skip the paper passbook: it costs money
All three megabanks charge for paper passbooks on newer accounts. Choose a passbook-free account that you check in the app or online (MUFG’s Eco Tsucho, SMBC’s Web Tsucho, Mizuho’s Mizuho e-Koza and similar) and you won’t pay anything.
| Bank | Paper passbook fee | Accounts affected | Exempt |
|---|---|---|---|
| MUFG Bank | ¥550 a year (tax incl.) | Ordinary accounts opened on or after 1 Apr 2022 | Individuals under 18 or 70+ at the end of January |
| SMBC | ¥550 a year (tax incl.) | Personal ordinary accounts opened on or after 1 Apr 2021 | Under 18 or 75+ non-residents |
| Mizuho Bank | ¥1,100 per passbook issued or renewed (tax incl.) | Accounts opened on or after 18 Jan 2021 | — |
Checked against official sites on 29 Sep 2026.
Japanese phrases for the bank counter
If you get stuck at the counter, just show the staff these sentences.
| What you want to say | Japanese | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| I’d like to open an account | 口座を開きたいです。 | Kōza o hirakitai desu. |
| No paper passbook, please | 通帳なしの口座でお願いします。 | Tsūchō nashi no kōza de onegai shimasu. |
| I’ve brought my residence card and passport | 在留カードとパスポートを持ってきました。 | Zairyū kādo to pasupōto o motte kimashita. |
| I don’t understand much Japanese. Do you have materials in English? | 日本語があまり分かりません。英語の資料はありますか。 | Nihongo ga amari wakarimasen. Eigo no shiryō wa arimasu ka. |
| I’ll use it to receive my salary | 給与の受け取りに使います。 | Kyūyo no uketori ni tsukaimasu. |
| When will the cash card arrive? | キャッシュカードはいつ届きますか。 | Kyasshu kādo wa itsu todokimasu ka. |
| I’ve renewed my residence card and want to report it | 在留カードを更新したので、届け出をしたいです。 | Zairyū kādo o kōshin shita node, todokede o shitai desu. |
| I’m leaving Japan and want to close my account | 帰国するので、口座を解約したいです。 | Kikoku suru node, kōza o kaiyaku shitai desu. |
If you’re refused or your account is restricted
Common reasons for refusal
- Less than 3 months left on your residence card: Japan Post, Mizuho, AEON and Seven Bank won’t accept it. Renew first.
- Under 6 months in Japan and not working here: you’re a non-resident. Try Japan Post Bank, or wait until you pass 6 months.
- Name or address doesn’t match your ID: SMBC says it can’t open the account. Update your address at the city office first.
- A branch far from your home, school and work: AEON Bank says it may refuse without a reasonable explanation. Pick a branch near where you live or study.
If your account gets restricted
The most common cause is renewing your residence card without telling the bank. Bring your new card and update your details in the app or at a branch (Japan Post Bank lets you do it in its app). Mizuho says it may also ask to see your previous residence card or passport when you report the renewal.
Three things to do after opening
- Tell the bank as soon as you renew your residence card
Japan Post Bank asks you to update your details in its app or at a branch, and may temporarily restrict transactions if you don’t. AEON Bank sends a reminder about 3 months before expiry; if you don’t submit your new card, you may lose access to the account. Sony Bank restricts some or all transactions from the day after your card expires. - Never sell, lend or hand over your account
Giving away an account you no longer use is also a crime. According to Mizuho Bank, breaking the Act on Prevention of Transfer of Criminal Proceeds carries up to 3 years in prison, a fine of up to ¥5 million, or both, and you may be shut out of every financial institution. The National Police Agency runs campaigns warning foreign residents about exactly this. - Close your account before leaving Japan
Japan Post, Mizuho, AEON, Rakuten Bank and PayPay Bank all require it. Wait until your last credit card, phone and utility payments have gone through, then close it.
Watch out for fake embassy or police calls
AEON Bank warns of scammers posing as embassy, police or government officials who claim you’ll lose your visa or are suspected of a crime, then ask for your account details and PIN or tell you to transfer money. These organizations never ask for your PIN or take your cash card. Hang up, then check with your bank or the police.
Next: credit cards, transfers and fees
- Get your first credit card: you’ll need the account first. See which credit card to get first.
- Cut fees: each megabank has its own fee waivers. Compare them in our megabank comparison, or read the guides to MUFG, SMBC (Olive) and Mizuho.
- Receiving money from home: Japan Post Bank can receive US dollar and euro transfers from abroad into your ordinary account (converted to yen on arrival). Send the sender Japan Post Bank’s English guide and they’ll have the details they need. Intermediary bank fees come out of the amount (usually US$10 on transfers of US$100 or more, €5 on €100 or more), and the bank may ask for documents showing the purpose and source of the money. MUFG charges ¥1,500 per transfer when a foreign-currency remittance goes into a yen account (for amounts of ¥3,000 or more). By law, you also need to register your My Number with the bank before receiving money from abroad.
- Sending money home: AEON Bank can’t send money abroad. If you send or receive often, compare Wise and Revolut.
- Saving and cutting tax: with a bank account you can open a brokerage account and start NISA. The Financial Services Agency says anyone living in Japan aged 18 or over can open one, regardless of nationality (NISA for foreigners). If you pay resident tax here, furusato nozei is worth a look too.
- Domestic transfers: small transfers can be free with Kotora.
FAQ
- Q. Can I open a bank account one month after arriving in Japan?
- Try Japan Post Bank. Its official page for foreigners has no 6-month rule; you need at least 3 months left on your residence card, and students need a student ID. MUFG, Mizuho, AEON and others require 6 months in Japan or full-time work at a company here (part-time jobs don't count).
- Q. Can international students open an account at MUFG?
- You can apply, but foreign nationals can't use the app and must go to a branch. If you've been here less than 6 months and don't work in Japan, you're treated as a non-resident with some restrictions.
- Q. Do I need a hanko (personal seal)?
- It depends on the bank. Mizuho branches require one, and rubber stamps like Shachihata aren't accepted; Mizuho's online application doesn't list a seal among the required documents. Check each bank's page before you go.
- Q. Should I write my name in kanji or roman letters?
- Use your legal name exactly as on your residence card. AEON Bank says you can write your address and other details in roman letters if you can't write Japanese. To use an alias, Mizuho requires your resident record.
- Q. Can I open an account with a residence card issued after June 2026?
- Yes, with limits. Mizuho's online application doesn't accept residence cards or specified residence cards issued from 14 June 2026 (branches do, possibly with your passport or resident record), and Seven Bank's ATM and online applications don't accept them for now. Japan Post Bank states that the specified residence card is accepted.
- Q. My residence card expires soon. Can I still open an account?
- With less than 3 months left, Japan Post, Mizuho, AEON and Seven Bank all refuse applications. Renew first and apply with your new card.
- Q. Can foreigners open accounts at online banks like Rakuten Bank or PayPay Bank?
- Yes. Rakuten Bank needs your residence card plus a second ID showing your full name. PayPay Bank is open to anyone living in Japan; from age 16 you scan your residence card's IC chip and take a selfie. Support is in Japanese only.
- Q. Do paper passbooks cost money?
- At the megabanks, yes, for newer accounts: ¥550 a year at MUFG (accounts from April 2022) and SMBC (from April 2021), and ¥1,100 per passbook at Mizuho (from 18 January 2021). A passbook-free account avoids the fee.
- Q. Will I get my passbook on the same day?
- Not necessarily. Foreign applicants need extra checks; Japan Post Bank says it may not open the account on the day and may mail the passbook later, and Mizuho also says opening can take time.
- Q. Can I receive money from overseas?
- Yes. Japan Post Bank accepts US dollar and euro transfers from abroad into your ordinary account (intermediary bank fees are deducted from the amount). MUFG charges ¥1,500 per transfer when a foreign-currency remittance goes into a yen account (for amounts of ¥3,000 or more). By law, you need to register your My Number with the bank first. AEON Bank doesn't handle international transfers.
- Q. Can I keep my account after leaving Japan?
- No. Japan Post, Mizuho, AEON, Rakuten Bank and PayPay Bank all require you to close it before you leave Japan. Close it only after your last card and phone payments have gone through.
- Q. Someone offered to buy my unused account. Is that OK?
- Absolutely not. Selling, transferring or lending a bank account is a crime; Mizuho says it's punishable by up to 3 years in prison or a fine of up to ¥5 million, and you may be shut out of every financial institution in the future.
Sources
- Japan Post Bank: for foreign customers opening an account (Japanese)
- MUFG Bank FAQ: non-Japanese nationals and the smartphone application
- SMBC FAQ: opening an account as a foreign national
- Mizuho Bank: for residence card holders (as of 24 July 2026; English PDF available)
- AEON Bank: for foreign customers
- Rakuten Bank FAQ: account opening for foreign nationals
- Seven Bank: ATM account opening (foreign nationals) · online account opening
- PayPay Bank FAQ: foreign nationals · SBI Sumishin Net Bank FAQ: ID for foreign nationals
- Sony Bank: notice for foreign national customers (1 Sep 2025)
- National Police Agency: transferring bank books and cash cards is a crime (10 Jan 2025)
- Immigration Services Agency: specified residence card (from 14 June 2026)
- MUFG: paper passbook fee · SMBC: card and passbook fees · Mizuho: cash cards and passbooks · MUFG referral plan (all Japanese)
- Japan Post Bank: receiving remittances from abroad · MUFG: receiving international remittances · MUFG: foreign exchange fees (Japanese)
- SMBC Trust Bank PRESTIA: opening an account
- Financial Services Agency: about NISA (Japanese)
All checked on 29 September 2026. This isn’t legal or financial advice; check each bank’s latest conditions before applying.
These are my referral links for opening an account. Some banks add a referral bonus after you open; see the buttons and official sites for amounts and conditions. MUFG isn’t listed: its referral plan is limited to Japanese nationals living in Japan (dual nationals excluded), so foreign nationals can’t use it. Wise and Revolut, for sending money home and receiving it, are at the end.
Coming
Rakuten Bank
Copy code → Open account & deposit ¥100k to get 5,000pts!
SMBC Olive Account
Enter referral code + open Olive + ¥10k balance by end of next month = ¥1,000 V Points
