BANKING IN JAPAN

Date Modified: 01.16.2007
Content: Opening a bank account in Japan

Can I open a bank account in Japan?

Yes. You can open a bank account at most banks in Japan. However, almost all banks ask for your passport as well as your working visa and alien registration card, your "GAIJIN card".

Can I open a postal savings account?

Yes. Most post offices in Japan offer a savings account and it does cover most banking needs including ATMs at a wide range of places including remote villages and mountain towns. You do not need a GAIJIN card or alien registration card. You simply need your passport and possibly an address for them to contact you and send bank statements.

Do I need a HANKO (official seal) to open an account?

At most banks no. Most "Gaijin" or foreigners only need to provide their signature. However, it is recommended to get one as it will make your life a little easier.

Can I open a checking account?

Yes, but they are very rare. Most people open a savings account called "futsu koza" in Japanese. You are able to pay bills through bank transfers called automatic payments. You can pay utilities, phone bills, National Health Insurance and many other common bills directly from your bank account. Don't forget to bring your most recent bills to the bank to setup this service.

Will I be given an ATM card or cash card?

Yes. when you open a savings account you will be given an ATM or cash card.

Are ATMs available for use 24 hours a day?

Most are NOT. ATMs are available at different times depending on which bank provides the ATM service. ATMs available for use 24 hours a day as well as on Sunday's are limited. Be prepared. If you do use a 24 hour ATM you may have to pay additional fees. Make sure to check with your bank about times and fees.

Can I transfer funds from one account to another at an ATM?

Yes. You can transfer money from your personal savings account to another, payees account. You will be asked for the payees bank name and branch, account type, exact name used on the payee's account and account number.

Are cheques used in Japan?

Yes, but they are rare and banks often charge outrageous fees to have them cashed.

Can I send or wire money to my home country?

Yes. You can wire money to your home country from most banks as well as at the Post Office. You can choose from a number of options but the quickest way is through a telegraphic transfer.

Are their additional fees for telegraphic transfers?

Yes. For most currencies banks charge approximately 2,500 yen for regular telegraphic transfers and approximately 4,500 yen for expedited telegraphic transfers.

Can I send wire money home from the Post Office?

Yes. Fees range from 1,000 to 2,500 yen for up to 1,000,000 yen. For amounts above 1,000,000 yen it costs 500 yen for every 500,000 yen sent.

What is the least expensive way to send money overseas?

The least expensive way to send money overseas is through an international postal money order or kokusai yubin kawase. You can purchase an international postal money order from the post office. You then simply mail it to the recipient.

What are the banking hours in Japan?

Most banks are open Monday to Friday, 9:00am to 3:00pm. Most are closed on Saturday's and Sunday's.

What are the bank note denominations in Japan?

Japanese Yen Bill: 1000yen, 2,000yen, 5,000yen, 10,000yen. Japanese Yen Coins: 1yen, 5yen, 10yen, 50yen, 100yen, 500yen.

BANKS IN JAPAN

Official Web Site for the Post Office
Fax: +886 89 331 194
Web: Japanese: http://www.yuubinkyoku.com English: http://www.yuubinkyoku.com/english/index.html
Yagi Post Office  
Phone: 04-7152-4254?
Address: 209-1 Komagidai, Nagareyama City.
Kashiwa Midoridai Post Office   
Phone: 04-7132-6961?
Address: 3-27-40 Midoridai, Kashiwa City.
Kashiwa Tanaka Post Office  
Phone: 04-7131-4951?
Address: 759-9 Hananoi, Kashiwa City

77 Bank Limited (the)
Address: 3-20 Chuo 3-Chome Aoba-Ku Sendai 980-8777, Miyagi 980-8777
Phone: +81 22 267 1111
Fax: +81 22 267 3662
Website: http://www.77bank.co.jp

Aichi Bank Limited (the)
Address: 14-12 Sakae 3-Chome Naka-Ku Nagoya 460-8678, Aichi 460-8678
Phone: +81 52 251 3211
Fax: +81 52 251 7606
Website: http://www.aichibank.co.jp

Awa Bank Limited (the)
Address: 24-1 Nishi-Senbacho 2-Chome Tokushima 770-8601, Tokushima 770-8601
Phone: +81 88 623 3131
Fax: +81 88 623 7729
Website: http://www.awabank.co.jp

Bank OF Fukuoka Limited (the)
Address: 13-1 Tenjin 2-Chome Chuo-Ku Fukuoka 810-8727, Fukuoka 810-0001
Phone: +81 92 723 2622
Fax: +81 92 721 5863
Website: http://www.fukuokabank.co.jp

Bank OF Ikeda Limited (the)
Address: 1-11 Jonan 2-Chome Ikeda 563-0025, Osaka 563-0025
Phone: +81 72 751 3521
Fax: +81 72 752 1250
Website: http://www.ikedabank.co.jp

Bank OF Iwate Limited (the)
Address: 2-3 Chuodori 1-Chome Morioka 020-8688, Iwate 020-8688
Phone: +81 19 623 1111
Fax: +81 19 651 9868
Website: http://www.iwatebank.co.jp

Bank OF Kyoto Limited (the)
Address:700 Karasuma Matubara-Agaru Yakushimae. Shimogyo-Ku Kyoto 600-8652, Kyoto 600-8652
Phone: +81 75 361 2211
Fax: +81 75 343 1276
Website: http://www.kyotobank.co.jp

Bank OF Okinawa, Ltd (the)
Address: 10-1 Kumoji 3-Chome. Naha 900-8651, Okinawa 900-8651
Phone: +81 98 867 2141
Fax: +81 98 862 9204
Website: http://www.okinawa-bank.co.jp

Biwako Bank, Limited
Address: 5-12 Chuo 4-Chome. Ohtsu 520-0043, Shiga 520-0043
Phone: +81 77 524 9311
Fax: +81 77 523 3488
Website: http://www.biwakobank.co.jp

Chiba Kogyo Bank Limited (the)
Address: 1-2 Saiwai-Cho 2-Chome. Mihama-Ku 261-0001, Chiba 261-0001
Phone: +81 43 243 2111
Fax: +81 43 242 5320
Website: http://www.chibakogyo-bank.co.jp

Chikuho Bank, Ltd.
Address: 2456-1 Suwanomachi. Kurume 830-0037, Fukuoka 830-0037
Phone: +81 942 32 5331
Fax: +81 942 35 2993
Website: http://www.chikugin.co.jp

Fukui Bank, Ltd.
Address: 1-1 Junka 1-Chome. Fukui 910-8660, Fukui 910-8660
Phone: +81 776 24 2030
Fax: +81 776 26 9552
Website: http://www.fukuibank.co.jp

FUKUSHIMA BANK, LTD.
Address: 2-5 Bansei-Cho. Fukushima 960-8625, Fukushima 960-8625
Phone: +81 24 525 2525
Fax: +81 24 536 5564
Official Website: http://www.fukushimabank.co.jp/

Gifu Bank, Ltd.
Address: 7-1 Usa-Minami 1-Chome Gifu 500-8565, Gifu 500-8565
Phone: +81 58 275 1111
Fax: +81 58 271 9844
Official Website: http://www.gifubank.co.jp

Gunma Bank Limited (the)
Address: 194 Motosoja-Machi. Maebashi 371-8611, Gunma 371-8611
Phone: +81 27 252 1111
Fax: +81 27 254 6374
Official Website: http://www.gunmabank.co.jp

Joyo Bank Limited (the)
Address:5-5 Minami-Machi 2-Chome. Mito City 310-0021, Ibaraki 310-0021
Phone: +81 29 231 2151
Fax: +81 29 300 2606
Official Website: http://www.joyobank.co.jp/joyobank/eng/

Kita-Nippon Bank, Ltd.
Address: 6-7 Chuodori 1-Chome. Morioka 020-8666, Iwate 020-8666
Phone: +81 19 653 1111
Fax: +81 19 651 1951
Website: http://www.kitagin.co.jp

Kumamoto Family Bank, Ltd. (the)
Address: 29-20 Suizenji 6-Chome. Kumamoto 862-8601, Kumamoto 862-8601
Phone: +81 96 385 1111
Fax: +81 96 387 1906
Website: http://www.kumamotofamilybank.co.jp

Miyazaki Bank Limited (the)
Address: 3-5 Tachibanadori Higashi 4-Chome. Miyazaki 880-0805, Miyazaki 880-0805
Phone: +81 985 27 3131
Fax: +81 985 29 7178
Website: http://www.miyagin.co.jp

Miyazaki Taiyo Bank, Ltd. (the)
Address: 1-31 Hiroshima 2-Chome. Miyazaki 880-8606, Miyazaki 880-8606
Phone: +81 985 24 2111
Fax: +81 985 22 7097
Website: http://www.taiyobank.co.jp

Musashino Bank Limited (the)
Address: 10-8 Sakuragicho 1-Chome. Saitama 331-0852, Saitama 331-0852
Phone: +81 48 641 6111
Fax: +81 48 641 6219
Website: http://www.musashinobank.co.jp

Nanto Bank Limited (the)
Address: 16 Hashimotocho. Nara 630-8677, Nara 630-8217
Phone: +81 742 22 1131
Fax: +81 742 23 8681
Website: http://www.nantobank.co.jp

SAPPORO BANK, LTD. (THE)
Address: 1, OHDORI-NISHI 4-CHOME, CHUO-KU. SAPPORO CITY, HOKKAIDO 060-8510
Phone: +81 11 2512111
Fax: +81 11 2513647
Website: http://www.sapporobank.co.jp/

Shinkin Central Bank
Address: 8-1 Kyobashi 3-Chome. Chuo-Ku 104-0031, Tokyo 104-0031
Phone: +81 3 3563 4111
Fax: +81 3 3563 7554
Website: http://www.shinkin.co.jp

Tokyo Tomin Bank Limited (the)
Address: 3-11 Roppongi 2-Chome. Minato-Ku 106-8525, Tokyo 106-8525
Phone: +81 3 3582 8251
Fax: +81 3 3582 8296
Website: http://www.tominbank.co.jp

Toyama Bank Ltd. (the)
Address: 22 Moriyamamachi. Takaoka 933-8606, Toyama 933-8606
Phone: +81 766 21 3535
Fax: +81 766 26 1268
Website: http://www.toyamabank.co.jp

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