Making a bank account is one of the few things you need to do to start if you plan in living and working in Japan.
However, applying a bank account is never easy specially if you do not know the language.

Here are some information and tips to help you with the process.

1.There are plenty of banks to choose from. The list below are the well known banks, which have plenty of branch all over Japan.

ゆうちょ銀行　”Yuuchou Ginkou” (this bank account works with Japan post office)

https://www.jp-bank.japanpost.jp/en_index.html

・To all Japan Post Bank Customers of non-Japanese Citizenship
https://www.jp-bank.japanpost.jp/kaisetu/pdf/kaisetu_en.pdf

・Japan Post Bank　procedures on your smartphone

https://www.jp-bank.japanpost.jp/app/tetsuzuki/app_tz_en.html

三井住友銀行　”Sumitomo Mitsui”
https://www.smbc.co.jp/kojin/sougou/language/index.html?language=en

みずほ銀行　”Mizuho ginkou”

https://www.mizuhogroup.com/bank/who-we-are

三菱東京UFJ銀行　”Mitsubishi UFJ ginkou”

https://www.bk.mufg.jp/global/

2. Here is some useful language you will
need to know when opening a bank account!

3. What you will need to bring!

1. Two forms of personal identification (these must have your address on it)

2. Your Alien Registration Card, Your Passport, and/or your public health insurance card

3. The money you want to deposit (usually they have you deposit at least a minimum amount: even just 1 yen)

4. Your address and phone number
5. Your Hanko or personal name stamp (optional)

In most cases, a bank clerk will assist you through the process. They will inform you on which application form to fill and which booth you need to go.

Please see a sample form below (referenced from a blog at “thejapanguy.com”). Forms may vary.

1.　種類 (しゅるい or Shurui). ACCOUNT TYPE:

2.　送金機能 (そうきんきのう or Sokinkino). REMITTANCE FEATURE:
3.　基準額 (きじゅんがく or Kijungaku). STANDARD LIMIT:
4.　お預け入れ金額 (おあずけいれきんがく or Oazukeire Kingaku). DEPOSIT AMOUNT:
5. おところ or Otokoro. ADDRESS:
6.　おなまえ or Onamae. NAME:
7. お届け印 (おとどけいん or Otodokein)。確認印 (かくにんいん or kakunin). STAMPS
8. 生年月日 (せいねんがっぴ or Seinengappi). BIRTHDATE:
9. キャッシュサービス. CASH CARD SERVICE
10. キャッシュサービス　デビト機能 (きゃしゅさーびすでびときのう or kyashusa-bisudebitokino). DEBIT CARD FEATURE
11.カード種類（かーどしゅるい or ka-doshurui). CARD TYPE:
12. 暗証番号必須取り扱い(あんしょうばんごうとりあつかい or anshinbangotoriatsukai) PIN NUMBER SERVICE
13. ボランティア DONATIONS
14.　性別　(せいべつ or seibetsu). GENDER.

Great! Now you should have everything you need to successfully create your own bank account in Japan!

Good luck!!!

Finding your immigration bureau nearest to you may be a stressful and complicated process.

Here is some information that may be able to help you in finding your immigration bureau closest to you!

To start off, this is the english version of the website for the immigration bureau of Japan!

http://www.immi-moj.go.jp/english/

Important information and updates are posted here, as well as general helpful information for foreigners living in Japan.