How to open a bank account in Japan

A bank account is a convenient way to receive your living allowance, pay utility bills and conduct other transactions. Especially if you are going to receive scholarship from the Japanese government (MEXT or JASSO), please open a bank account at a Postal Bank (Yucho Ginko, ゆうちょ銀行) to receive the scholarship.

In order to open a bank account in Japan, please bring:

• Passport
• Residence Card*
• The money you want to deposit
• Name stamp(Inkan, 印鑑)**

* Please make sure that you complete the resident registration at the municipal office of your area of residence before opening a bank account.

** Some banks will also allow you to open an account with your signature. You are recommended to ask in advance.