How to Open a Bank Account in Japan as a Foreign Worker — A Step-by-Step Guide for SSW Workers

Opening a bank account is one of the first practical challenges every new foreign worker in Japan faces. Without an account, you can't receive your salary, pay rent, set up phone service, or send money home. Yet Japan's banking laws make it surprisingly difficult to open most types of accounts in your first 6 months in the country.

This guide explains exactly how to navigate the system: which bank to start with on Day 1, what documents you need, the famous "6-month rule", how to add an internet bank later for better fees, and how your employer or registered support organization should help. After reading this, you'll have a clear plan for getting fully banked in Japan.

Why It's Hard — The 6-Month Rule

Most banks in Japan will refuse to open a regular savings account for a foreign resident who has been in Japan for less than 6 months. This is not bank-specific discrimination — it stems primarily from the Foreign Exchange and Foreign Trade Act (Gaitame-hō), which classifies residents of less than 6 months as “non-residents” who generally cannot open ordinary deposit accounts. Banks also apply identity-verification requirements under the Act on Prevention of Transfer of Criminal Proceeds, and AML/CFT controls have been tightened in recent years.

Banks typically verify your length and status of residence using your Residence Card, passport, landing permission date, address registration, and employment or school documents — not the Residence Card issue date alone. If you have been in Japan for less than 6 months, most major banks (MUFG, SMBC, Mizuho, Resona) are likely to decline a regular savings account, although policies vary by branch and individual circumstances.

Start with Yucho (Japan Post Bank) After Address Registration

Japan Post Bank is operated through Japan's nationwide post office network, with around 24,000 post offices nationwide. Yucho ATMs are available at post offices as well as many convenience stores (e.g. FamilyMart) and JR stations. For new SSW workers, it has several advantages:

• Possible before 6 months in many cases — but the account may be treated as a non-resident account, with possible restrictions or higher fees on some domestic transfers
• Nationwide branches — even small towns have a post office that can handle bank business
• Free ATM withdrawals at any Yucho ATM, anywhere in Japan
• Basic English/multilingual support at major post offices
• Acceptable for salary deposits at most employers
• Acceptable for utility payments and rent

Documents You Need

Bring all of the following to the post office. If anything is missing, you'll have to come back another day.

• Residence Card — both sides; address must be current and registered with your local ward office
• Passport
• My Number document — My Number Card, or a residence certificate (juminhyo) with your My Number printed on it. Required for tax and AML compliance. The old paper “Notification Card” was discontinued in May 2020 and is no longer newly issued; instead, your number is shown on the “Individual Number Notification” document or on a juminhyo. If you don't have a My Number Card yet, you can sometimes open an account first and add the My Number later.
• Personal seal — optional. Japan Post Bank officially accepts a signature (without a personal seal) for foreign customers, so a seal is not required. If you'd like one anyway for use at other institutions or contracts, a basic name seal can be made at any seal shop or hardware store for ¥500–¥3,000.
• Proof of address — the address on your Residence Card serves this purpose if it's current
• Phone number — helpful but not always required. If you don't have a Japanese phone number yet, you can sometimes still open the account and add the phone later.

Step-by-Step: Opening a Yucho Account

After 6 Months: Adding a Better Bank

After you have been in Japan for 6 months, it generally becomes easier to apply for accounts at more banks, although approval still depends on your residence status, remaining period of stay, employment, phone number, documents, and each bank's screening policy. Adding a second bank account — ideally an internet bank — gives you significant advantages:

• Better online banking apps with English/multilingual interfaces
• Lower remittance fees for sending money to your home country
• Different fee structures, app features, and savings options depending on the bank
• Better integration with payment apps like PayPay, LINE Pay
• Online support options, which vary by bank and may include chat, FAQ, or app-based support

You can keep your Yucho account active — many people use Yucho for salary deposit and a second bank for daily use, savings, and remittances.

Bank Comparison for Foreign Workers

Online Banking and ATM Tips

• Yucho ATM: Many withdrawals are free for Yucho-account holders, especially at ATMs inside post offices or Japan Post Bank branches. ATMs in stations, shopping centers, FamilyMart locations, and outside free hours may charge fees (typically ¥110–¥330).
• 7-Eleven ATM (Seven Bank): Works with most Japanese cards. Menu available in English and other languages. Fees vary by bank, account type, and time of day — some banks offer limited free windows, but it is not generally free.
• Lawson Bank and E-net ATMs (FamilyMart and other convenience stores): Standard convenience-store ATM fees apply, with multilingual menus available. Exact fees depend on your bank and the time of day.
• Internet banking activation: After opening any account, ask the bank to enable internet banking. Many banks now allow this online via your bank app.
• Mobile apps: Most major banks have smartphone apps. Yucho offers the “Yucho Tetsuzuki App” for account opening and key procedures in 4 languages (Japanese, English, Simplified Chinese, Vietnamese). Sony Bank, Rakuten, and SBI Shinsei also offer English / multilingual apps. Yucho additionally operates a multilingual telephone support service for foreign customers (English, Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, Indonesian, Nepali, Myanmar — 7 languages).

Employer / Support Organization Help

Under SSW Type 1 rules, the accepting organization must provide required support to foreign workers, and if support is entrusted to a registered support organization, that organization carries out the entrusted support. The mandatory support plan includes life orientation and accompaniment to public-procedure-related services, which generally covers bank account opening. Specifically:

• Pre-arrival orientation should mention banking requirements
• Post-arrival life orientation should include bank account opening assistance
• The support organization should be able to refer you to a bank, accompany you, and help with paperwork
• Some employers have arrangements with specific local banks for fast-track foreign worker accounts

If your employer or the organization responsible for your SSW support refuses to help with this basic life support, that's a warning sign about their overall quality. Ask them to explain who is responsible for the support plan and what assistance they will provide — or speak up and seek a new employer.

Common Issues and Fixes

Issue: "We can't open the account because you've been in Japan less than 6 months"

Fix: Go to a post office and open a Yucho account. They don't have the 6-month rule. After 6 months, return to the bank that refused you.

Issue: "Your address on your Residence Card doesn't match"

Fix: Visit your local ward office and register your current address. Bring your Residence Card; they'll print the updated address on the back.

Issue: "We need a Japanese phone number"

Fix: Some banks require this; others don't. Yucho often does not. If you don't have a Japanese phone yet, your employer's address can sometimes be used as a contact, or open the account first and add the phone later.

Issue: "We need My Number"

Fix: Your My Number is automatically assigned when you register your address at the ward office. You can immediately obtain a juminhyo with My Number printed on it. The physical My Number Card is optional but useful; it typically takes about 1–2 months to be issued after application.

Issue: "We need a personal seal"

Fix: Get one made at any seal shop. Basic name seal: ¥500–¥3,000.

Frequently Asked Questions

Summary

Banking in Japan is challenging for new arrivals, but with the right plan it's entirely manageable. Start with Yucho on Day 1 to get banked immediately, then add a better bank after 6 months for online services and lower fees. Get help from your employer or, where applicable, your registered support organization — bank account opening is part of the SSW Type 1 mandatory life-support framework. With a solid banking setup, you can focus on your work, save for the future, and send money home efficiently.