Banking in Japan 2026: opening an account as a foreigner

Opening a bank account in Japan

You'll generally need a valid residence card (在留カード), an address registered at your local ward or city office, and a Japanese mobile number for SMS verification. Your My Number is required at most banks — especially for accounts that can send or receive international transfers — so having the plastic My Number Card, not just the paper notification, helps. Japan Post Bank (ゆうちょ銀行) is the most accessible for people who have just arrived and can often open on day one; SBI Shinsei Bank is also foreigner-friendly but requires that you have lived in Japan for six months unless you are already employed here, in which case the wait is waived. The megabanks — MUFG, SMBC and Mizuho — and online banks such as Sony Bank and Rakuten are common once you have settled. The old idea that everyone must wait six months before opening any account is largely a myth in 2026 — Japan Post Bank has no such rule — though a few banks still apply it to arrivals who are not yet working. A hanko (personal seal) is no longer required at most banks; a signature is accepted.

Multi-currency, crypto and moving money

Most residents keep a yen account for rent, utilities and salary and pair it with a multi-currency app like Wise or Revolut for cheaper foreign exchange, since bank FX and wire fees in Japan can be high. Domestic transfers via the Zengin system are fast. Crypto exchanges are licensed and supervised by the Financial Services Agency (FSA) under the Payment Services Act; on-ramps run through registered Japanese exchanges, and banks vary in how they treat crypto-related transfers, so confirm your bank's policy before moving funds.

At a glance

Where it fits in a borderless plan

Japan pairs a safe, deep banking system and a stable currency with real friction for non-residents — you effectively need residence first, and everyday banking still leans on Japanese-language forms outside a few English-friendly banks. Banking is one pillar of a borderless setup. Line it up with where you are tax-resident, your Bitcoin self-custody plan, and the rest of daily life — healthcare and schools. Compare countries in our banking-abroad guide.