Opening a bank account as a new arrival
Japan Post Bank is usually the easiest first account. For your first six months you count as a non-resident for foreign exchange rules, so sending money abroad is limited until you update your status.
The six-month rule
For your first six months in Japan you are treated as a "non-resident" under foreign exchange law. During this time you may not be able to open a normal account that can send money abroad, or the account may be limited (Mynavi Agri). At Japan Post Bank, people who entered less than six months ago can't send money abroad. After six months, you update your status at a post office and the limit is lifted (Nagoya University guide).
Steps
- Register your address at the ward office. You can't open an account without resident registration. See the first 30 days checklist.
- Get a phone number. You need a voice SIM. See SIM cards.
- Go to the counter with your documents: residence card, passport and phone number. You will also be asked about your job or school.
- Receive your cash card. It arrives later by post at your registered address.
New in 2026
Residence cards issued on or after June 14, 2026 (including the new combined card) can't be used for ID checks in the Japan Post Bank app or the self-service "Madotab" terminals for now. If you have a new card, apply at the counter (Japan Post Bank).
Choosing a bank
| Type | Good | Watch out |
|---|---|---|
| Japan Post Bank | Works at every post office; ATMs in English | Limited English at the counter |
| Major banks | Often required for salary payments | Often refuse people here less than 6 months |
| Online banks | Everything in an app; some have English help by chat | Many ask that you have lived in Japan for 6 months. Sony Bank, for example, needs 6 months of residence and now takes applications from non-Japanese citizens only in Japanese, by mail (Wise) |
Compare the transfer fee and the exchange-rate markup together. A "fee-free" transfer can still cost a lot through a poor rate.
Read the guide