Banking in Japan | 日本の銀行

Studying abroad can be stressful even at the best of times, but there is nothing more troublesome than having to deal with money worries while you are in a different country. Systematic, cultural and language barriers can all contribute to a fiscal headache! Don’t worry though, with this post, you can get a better understanding of the Japanese banking system and practice reading some useful instructions on opening a bank account in Japan!

Why is having a Japanese bank account important? | 日本の銀行口座を持つことはなぜ重要なのでしょうか？

One of the most important things that you will need to do when you arrive in Japan is to open a Japanese bank account. Cash is still the most used method of payment in Japan and withdrawing from ATMs using your British cards will incur costly exchange fees! Funding from JASSO and any part-time jobs will also be paid into your Japanese account, so it is very important to have one set up.

日本に来たらすべき、最も重要なことのひとつは、日本の銀行口座を開設することです。日本では、今でも現金での支払いが一般的で、イギリスのカードを使って、ATMから引き出すと高額な為替手数料がかかります。JASSOの奨学金やアルバイトの賃金も振り込まれますので、口座を開設しておくことはとても重要です。

Which banks can I open an account with? | どの銀行で口座を開設することができますか？

Just like the UK, there are several different banks to choose from to open your account. These can range from small, local banks all the way up to national or international banks (these are called “megabanks” in Japan). It is wise to shop around the banks, as they may have different offers, account types or numbers of branches or ATMs. This might be important if you are travelling around Japan or staying longer! It is best to start with some of the well-known banks, as they operate nationwide. These include Japan Post Bank, Shinsei, Mitsubishi UFJ (MUFG) and Mizuho. Foreign banks such as Barclays and HSBC do operate in Japan, but it is best to stick with Japanese banks!

イギリスと同じように、口座開設にあたってはいくつか銀行の選択肢があります。小さな銀行から、国際的な（日本では「メガバンク」と呼ばれています）銀行まで、さまざまな銀行があります。銀行によって、口座の種類や支店や、ATMの数が異なる場合がありますので、いろいろな銀行を見て回るとよいでしょう。旅行したり、長期滞在したりする場合は、この点が大切になります。まず、全国にある有名な銀行から使い始めることをおすすめします。例えば、ゆうちょ銀行、新生銀行、三菱UFJ銀行（MUFG）、みずほ銀行などです。バークレイズやHSBCなどのイギリスの銀行も日本にありますが、やはり日本の銀行を使った方がいいです。

What will I need to open a bank account? | 開設には何が必要ですか？

You will need to bring several things with you when you open a bank account. These include your passport, your student VISA, your ID card, and your Japanese phone number (if you do not already know it). In the past, some banks needed you to bring a seal or stamp to sign the documents, but this is slowly being phased out in favour of simple signatures or electronic signing.

口座を開設する時には、必要となる証明書や情報を提出しなければなりません。具体的には、パスポート、学生ビザ、在留カード、そして日本の電話番号です。以前は、書類に署名する際には印鑑が必要でしたが、最近では署名や電子署名のみ行うという方法が普及してきています。

Using ATMs and Bankbooks | ATMと通帳の使い方

ATMs are widely available in Japan, and you can use them in both English and Japanese. They can be found at post offices, stations, and convenience stores. While the ones at post offices usually close by 5pm, the ones at convenience stores are open 24/7. Be careful as ATMs can be rare in the countryside.

When you open your account, you will be given a debit card and a bankbook. You can use these bankbooks at ATMs, where they will update any purchases that you have made.

日本ではATMが広く普及しており、英語でも日本語でも利用することができます。ATMは、郵便局や駅、コンビニなどにあります。郵便局のATMは午後5時には閉まってしまいますが、コンビニのATMは24時間利用可能です。田舎ではATMが少ない場合もあるので注意してください。

口座を開設すると、カードと通帳がもらえます。この通帳をATMで使用すると、取引の履歴が反映されます。

Bank Transfers | 銀行送金

Bank transfers are often used to pay bills or send money in Japan. One thing to look out for is that there is a 250 Yen charge when sending money in this way. You can transfer money at both ATMs and by making appointments with your bank.

日本では、請求書の支払送金のときに、銀行振込がよく使われます。気をつけなければならないのは、銀行振込には250円の手数料がかかるということです。送金は、ATMのほか、銀行窓口で行うこともできます。

Conclusion

While it may seem somewhat different and more old-fashioned than the banking that you are used to here in the UK, it will not take long for you to get used to the Japanese system. With these points in mind, you will be well on your way to opening an account in Japan and being able to manage your money successfully and confidently, even on the other side of the world!