Job Discussion Forums

El_Mero_Mero · Joined: 27 Jan 2009 Posts: 45

Is it absolutely necessary to have my money direct deposited from Interac into a Postal bank account, OR can I just have it deposited into another bank account (like Shinsei bank, or a U.S. bank account)?

Apsara · Joined: 20 Sep 2005 Posts: 2142 Location: Tokyo, Japan

US bank account, definitely not as there are all kinds of fees and paperwork involved when sending money overseas. Do they specify you must have a postal account? If so they are unlikely to bend as they would probably have to pay transfer fees for other banks' accounts.

Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

The Interac FAQ says the money is deposited in the postal bank account. I would take this to mean a direct deposit into any bank.

How can an employer force you to bank a certain way?

El_Mero_Mero · Joined: 27 Jan 2009 Posts: 45

Are there any banks accounts that directly withdraw like a monthly security fee?

In the U.S., CitiBank charges me $3.00 monthly mandatory, but HSBC doesn't charge me anything.

I know Shinsei Bank used to not charge anything in Japan. Is it still the same, and is it a reliable bank?

Do you need the alien registration card to open a postal bank account?

Grasshopper · Joined: 01 Nov 2005 Posts: 62 Location: Japan

I would check with the hiring person or your supervisor. I have been in places that it didn't matter what bank I used, and I have worked for other places who specified I must use a certain bank because their fees were lower since that was the bank everyone in the company used. So, it might be that Interac prefers the post office because it's cheaper for them to make deposits.

But, even in that case, you can easily get the money out and put it in a bank of your choice.

From my experience, it is very easy to open a bank account in Japan as long as you have an alien card, and to be safe a stamp (hanko). With those things, you can open one pretty much anywhere.

Good Luck!

G