A bank account is one of the first practical things you'll need — your school refunds, part-time wages, scholarships and apartment payments all need it. But there's a catch: most major Japanese banks require you to have been in Japan for at least 6 months before they let you open a standard account.
The 6-month rule
Anti–money laundering rules from the Financial Services Agency mean banks like Mitsubishi UFJ, SMBC, Mizuho and most regional banks will ask "how long have you been in Japan?" and turn you away if it's < 6 months. There are two exceptions:
- Japan Post Bank (ゆうちょ銀行) — accepts new residents immediately.
- Shinsei Bank (新生銀行) — accepts new residents (English support).
Recommended path
- Week 1–2 in Japan: Open ゆうちょ at any post office. You get a basic account, ATM card, and can receive transfers. Take your Residence Card, passport, residence-registered address, and personal seal (印鑑) — many post offices accept a signature instead these days.
- Month 6+: Add a second account at SMBC or Mizuho if you need access to specific services (e.g. some part-time employers don't pay into ゆうちょ).
Documents you'll need
- Residence Card (在留カード)
- Passport
- Student ID
- Address registration certificate (住民票) from city hall — you must register your address within 14 days of arrival
- Phone number (Japanese mobile or landline — many will accept the school number temporarily)
- Personal seal (印鑑) — buy one near campus, usually JPY 1,000–2,000
Online banking and apps
Sign up for online banking the same day — it takes 7–10 days to activate but you'll need it for rent payments and salary tracking. Set up the bank's smartphone app too; most have English UI now.
Receiving an international transfer (from Bangladesh)
Use Wise or your school's recommended remittance partner — bank-to-bank SWIFT from BD can take 5–10 working days and costs significantly more.