Whether you’re starting a part-time job, paying school tuition, or covering rent and smartphone bills, a “bank account” is absolutely essential for living in Japan.
However, for foreign nationals, the process of obtaining a “passbook” or “debit card” at a Japanese bank—or, conversely, closing an account when returning to your home country—can be extremely difficult due to the many detailed rules unique to Japan.
We often hear stories like, “I went to the bank, but they turned me down because the language was too difficult,” or “I left my account open when I returned home, and it caused major problems.”
In this article, we’ll take a look at the conditions and required documents for foreign residents to safely open and close a Japanese bank account.
1. “Essential Requirements” and “Required Documents” for Opening a Bank Account
To prevent money laundering (the transfer of funds used for criminal activities), Japanese banks conduct very strict checks on account openings for foreign residents. First, let’s confirm the conditions for opening an account.
💡 Essential Requirement for Opening an Account: “Been in Japan for at least 6 months”
As a general rule, you cannot open a standard bank account at a regular Japanese bank unless you have been in Japan for at least 6 months.
However, even if you have just arrived in Japan (less than 6 months), some banks may open a special account (non-resident account) for receiving tuition fees or salary if you have a school “student ID” or a company “job offer letter or employment contract.” Additionally, Japan Post Bank (Yucho Bank) is more likely to open an account for you even if you’ve been in the country for less than 6 months, so it’s recommended as the first bank to visit.
📁 Checklist of Documents Required to Open an Account
When visiting the bank, be sure to bring the following documents. If even a single character differs from your Residence Card, you won’t be able to open an account.
Residence Card (must have at least 3 months remaining before expiration)
Passport
Student ID or employee ID (or job offer letter)
Personal seal (hanko) or signature (Yucho Bank and similar institutions accept signatures)
Document showing your My Number (My Number Card or certificate of residence)
At the bank counter, clearly state the reason for opening the account, such as “to receive my salary” or “to pay school tuition.” If your reason is vague, your application may be rejected.
2. When returning to your home country, you must absolutely “close” your account!
“I’m about to graduate and return home, but I’ll leave a little money in my Japanese account and take the card back with me.”
“Closing the account is a hassle, so I’ll just zero out the balance and leave it as is when I go back.”
You must never do this! It is extremely dangerous.
When you leave Japan to return home, you must go to a bank branch and complete the procedures to “close” your account. If you leave it unattended, you risk getting caught up in the following terrifying problems.
① Your account is stolen by a criminal group, and you are framed as the “culprit”
If you return home while leaving an unused account unattended, there are frequent cases where the account information is sold to criminal groups without your knowledge and misused as a destination for fraudulent money transfers (crimes involving the theft of money).
When the police investigate, the account will still be in your name, so you will be suspected of being an accomplice to the crime. If that happens, even if you want to “visit Japan again” in the future, you may never be able to obtain an entry visa again.
② You will receive regular “Residence Card Confirmation Letters,” and your account will be frozen
Currently, Japanese banks regularly send letters to foreign account holders asking them to “please send a copy of your new Residence Card.” If you return to your home country and continue to ignore these letters, the bank will consider your account “suspicious” and freeze it completely (rendering it unusable).
3. Steps to Close Your Account
Be sure to visit the bank where you opened the account (or the nearest branch) at least “one week” before your flight home.
Bring your “Residence Card,” “passbook,” “ATM card,” and “the seal you used when opening the account (or your passport).” If you tell the teller, “I’m returning to my home country, so I’d like to close my account,” they will close the account that same day and return all remaining funds to you in cash.
4. Summary: If You’re Unsure, Seek Help from the Bank or Local Government Office
When opening or closing a Japanese bank account, it’s important to strictly follow Japanese rules.
If you’re struggling with the language and can’t fill out the bank forms, or if you’re unsure which bank to visit, don’t worry about it alone—talk to the international student advisor at your school or the support staff at your company. Additionally, the consultation desk at your local international exchange association can kindly guide you through the banking procedures.
This website will continue to provide accurate information on essential services to help foreign residents live in Japan with peace of mind and avoid trouble. Follow the rules and enjoy a safe and convenient life!
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