Hi! Thanks for the question.
Please take note of the disclaimer below that Google Answers is only
general information and is not a substitute for sound professional
advice. I would suggest that you also take the advice of the Japanese
embassy as regards this matter.
It seems that the only way for you to get a bank account is if you
will stay in Japan for more than 90 days. However, I came across a
blog saying that Tokyo Mitsubishi Bank only requires a passport.
Anyway, let?s start with the usual more than 90 days requirement for foreigners.
This article from AAA Circle (An Australian Website) provides some
good info on opening an account in Japan. I will verify the info here
by citing other sources.
Here is the advice according to the AAA website.
?You may open a local currency account or a foreign currency account
at major banks. You will need your passport and an Aliens Registration
Card. Without this, you won?t be able to open an account. As a
tourist, you can still apply for an Alien Registration Card at your
local city office.?
?As a foreigner, you can sign your name instead of using a 'hanko' as
the locals do. Your ATM card will be issued on the spot.?
Suggested Reputable Banks
- ?Sumitomo Mitsui Bank?
- ?Citibank Japan (offers English speaking staff and application forms)?
- ?UFJ Bank?
AAC: ?Welcome to Japan...?
http://www.aacircle.com.au/japan.htm
The following sources meanwhile agree with the advice given above.
?In order to open an account at a Japanese bank, a foreigner requires
to present his/her Alien Registration Card, the document any foreigner
needs to apply for when staying in Japan for more than 90 days. An
inkan (personal stamp) or signature is also needed.?
?Travel to Japan?
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2226.html
In this page it says that usually in Japan, you will need a hanko or
stamp to open an account. But they also accept signatures from
foreigners.
?Because most foreigners do not have a hanko, most banks allow you to
use your signature instead. The only drawback is that you must crowd
your entire signature into the hanko circle which is not more than
half an inch wide. If you wish, you can get a hank made, but there is
a downside: to use it for official purposes, you usually have to get
it registered at city hall; once you do, the hanko legally acts as
your signature, and, if stolen, can be applied to documents which you
may be held responsible for. You can still get a hanko and use it
unofficially; many Japanese have a casual hanko, one of the automatic
plastic ones, which they use on office memos and such. Recently,
companies that make these hanko will make them using katakana, the
Japanese phonetic script for foreign words and names, or even in
English. They cost only a few thousand yen and take a few weeks to
special order.?
?One document that you will need when opening your account is your
Alien Registration Certificate. This is a document you apply for at
your city or ward office when you reside in Japan for more than 90
days; application for the ARC will be noted on your passport. This
process, and the possible difficulties involved, is explained in the
Job Search section of this site.?
?Banks?
http://poza.net/japan/living3.html
About the Registration Card, here is a discussion on getting one.
?If you stay more than 90 days in Japan you are required to register
with the Japanese government and carry a Foreigner Registration Card
(Gaikokujin Torokusho). Bring your passport and 2 passport size
pictures (4.5cm X 3.5cm) (NOTE: It'd be a good idea to bring lots of
passport photos with you when you come to Japan) to the local
government office in your district (ku) or town. You will then be
given a temporary paper registration certificate. In about a month you
will need to go back to get the card. Anytime you move or renew/change
your visa you have 2 weeks to inform the government at the district
office (kuyakusho) or town/village office near you. You must carry
your registration card (or your passport) with you at all times and
present it to any policeman or immigration officer who requests to see
it. Failure to do so may result in a year in jail or a fine of 200,000
yen. When leaving the country for good you need to surrender the card
to the immigration officer at the airport/seaport.?
?THE JAPAN FAQ: KNOW BEFORE YOU GO (OR: WHAT I WISH I KNEW BEFORE....)?
http://www.thejapanfaq.com/
However, an interesting write-up from this blog can be of help to you
as well since it talks about being able to open up an account without
the card.
?I was going to wait until my work visa arrived before trying to open
an account. But then somebody suggested I go to Tokyo Mitsubishi Bank
in Roppongi. Easy! I opened up a regular passbook account, and all
they needed to see was my passport. I even had the option of a Pooh
Bear ATM card.?
?Bank account in Tokyo?
http://www.thunderguy.com/japan/live-in-japan/bank-account-in-tokyo/
And it seems that based on the website of the Mitsubishi Bank, if you
have passport, you can open an account since it says ?or Foreign
Registration Card?.
?Individual customers Valid Driver's License, Valid Passport, or
Foreign Resident Registration Card?
Mitsubishi Bank
http://www.bk.mufg.jp/english/customer/index.html
Search terms used:
opening bank account Japan tourists foreigners
Mitsubishi bank Japan foreigners passport
I hope these links would help you in your research. Before rating this
answer, please ask for a clarification if you have a question or if
you would need further information.
Regards,
Easterangel-ga
Google Answers Researcher |
