I have two Japanese bank accounts, and a credit card. Not with the Japanese office of Citibank, for example, but with native Japanese banks. All obtained when I lived there. I don't live there now, but have kept them all for almost 20 years.

So yes, it's possible. On the other hand, it can be extraordinarily difficult for foreigners to open an account at times. Every conceivable roadblock is placed in one's way.

In order to open up your bank account you need your gaijin card and a certificate of residence (住民票) issued by your local town office.

Just take those two items down to the bank and ask to open an account and you're set.

Note: they may or may not ask to copy your passport. I opened my account 4 years ago and forgot if they asked for it. Best take it with you just in case.



Like I said, I opened my account more than 4 years ago and went back to the states for grad school without closing my account. Now I'm back in Japan and my account is still open.

Last edited by kitakitsune (2013 January 04, 8:45 pm)

You won't be able to open a bank account if you're only there for 2 weeks.  Why would you want to anyway?

It's possible that if you work through the agency they could get something set up for you -- your best bet would be to ask them.

dizmox wrote:

kitakitsune wrote:

In order to open up your bank account you need your gaijin card and a certificate of residence (住民票) issued by your local town office.

Gaijin cards don't exist anymore, you just need your residence card.

Yea that's just a technicality. 在留カード are just renamed gaijin cards.

Last edited by kitakitsune (2013 January 06, 4:00 am)

Get a visa and come to Japan and they'll just print your card for you right at immigration at the airport.