Job Discussion Forums

XMizer · Joined: 26 Apr 2006 Posts: 51

I'm going to be living in Japan for a year under the Working Holiday Visa. I was wondering if I need to open a Japanese bank account. If I do, how would I go about doing it? I will be in Osaka

Thanks

luckyloser700 · Joined: 24 Mar 2006 Posts: 308 Location: Japan

Lots of jobs will pay your salary right into your Japanese bank accout. As fees are involved, I doubt they'll deposit into a foreign account. You can do lots of things with a Japanese bank account that you can't do with accounts back home. Having one is a worth the effort of getting it set up (though not really difficult to begin with).
Good luck.

PAULH · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 4672 Location: Western Japan

canuck · Joined: 11 May 2003 Posts: 1921 Location: Japan

XMizer · Joined: 26 Apr 2006 Posts: 51

I have no company and what is a seal (hanko)?

canuck · Joined: 11 May 2003 Posts: 1921 Location: Japan

When you get a job, have them help you set up a bank account. A hanko is a stamp you use instead of a signature (don't worry about it). Just sign things.

Failing that, you'll just have to go from bank to bank asking for help until you find one that can help you fill out the paperwork. Good luck.

JimDunlop2 · Joined: 31 Jan 2003 Posts: 2286 Location: Japan

http://www.shinseibank.com/english/

Enough said.

Eva Pilot · Posted: Thu Jun 29, 2006 12:41 pm Post subject:

I just opened a bank account with San'in Bank, and although it took a while to get things sorted out, I got it done in the end.

I love my inkan by the way.

fion · Joined: 03 Feb 2003 Posts: 69 Location: tokyo

I've opened several bank accounts in Japan. The first one was with 'help' (I think it was a letter of introduction) from my employer. Later, another employer opened a post office account for me - dead easy, I didn't have to do anything, but several years later when I wanted to set up a direct debit from this account I discovered it needed my now ex-employer's hanko, which was a bit annoying but easy to fix. Two other accounts I just opened myself, mildly time-consuming but not difficult.

For me, the post office account is probably best in terms of convenience etc. (Not such long queues at the ATM). I've never dealt with Shinsei but have heard some good things about
them, both from foreigners and Japanese.

JimDunlop2 · Joined: 31 Jan 2003 Posts: 2286 Location: Japan

The main selling points for me to go with Shinsei were:

- 100% English: telephone banking, internet banking, 24/7 customer service
- 5 free furikomi per month
- 100% free transactions from major bank machines and ANY 7/11 ATM
- 24/7 ATM service
- ability to use their ATM card all around the world in international ATMs
- ability to sign up for an account by mail or in person, and no need for a hanko
- my employer can easily deposit money into the account

Why bother with Japanese bank talk, hankos, hassles and all that when I got all I need with these guys.

And that's just for starters.

They also have international fund wiring services, foreign currency accounts, and other services. They really impressed me -- and that's hard for a bank to do with me.

XMizer · Joined: 26 Apr 2006 Posts: 51

Do I need an Alien Registration for Shinsei?

JimDunlop2 · Joined: 31 Jan 2003 Posts: 2286 Location: Japan