Banks

Opening an Account

When visiting a bank to open an account, it is often requested that you make an appointment in advance.

・Bank accounts can be registered at bank branch offices on weekdays between the hours of 9:00-15:00.
・Residence Card and Student ID card are necessary to open a bank account. (You may also need to submit other certificates from school.) As the required documents may vary by bank and branch, it is recommended to contact the bank branch you plan to visit in advance.
・If you have difficulty in understanding Japanese, you may be asked to bring someone who understands Japanese (Tutors etc.).
・For international students receiving the MEXT Scholarship, it is necessary to open a "Japan Post Bank (Yucho Ginkou)" account.
(Reference) To foreign nationals applying to open an account (Japan Post Bank) 
https://www.jp-bank.japanpost.jp/kaisetu/kat_gaikokujin.html
*Multi-lingual information regarding opening an account (PDF) at JP Bank is available.
-English https://www.jp-bank.japanpost.jp/kaisetu/pdf/kaisetu_en.pdf
-Chinese https://www.jp-bank.japanpost.jp/kaisetu/pdf/kaisetu_zh-cn.pdf
・Japanese banks (including Japan Post Banks) accounts cannot be closed from abroad. Please close your account before you leave Japan.

Support Service for Opening a Bank Account on campus

■Bank account opening services on campus 
All sessions for the 2026 Spring Semester have concluded.
-Inquiries: International Education Promotion Group < int-life.adm[at-mark]gs.mail.u-tokyo.ac.jp >

【銀行口座開設に関する教職員向け情報/Information for faculty/staff members on opening a bank account】（​UTokyo Accountが必要です）
こちら→​銀行口座開設支援サービス​（UTokyo Portal > 便利帳）

(Reference) Guide to Bank Accounts and Remittances For Foreign Residents Planning a Long-Term Stay in Japan (Financial Services Agency)
Multi-lingual Pamphlets　https://www.fsa.go.jp/user/livinginjapan.html

Updating Your Residency Status for Banking from non-resident to resident account

Bank accounts of foreign nationals who have been in Japan for less than 6 months are classified as "non-resident" accounts and may be subject to restrictions on remittances and other transactions. Once you have stayed in Japan for more than 6 months and are classified as a "resident" under the Foreign Exchange and Foreign Trade Act, please visit your bank branch to update your account status, bringing your residence card (zairyu card), cash card, bankbook, and other required documents. Please note that this change is not made automatically.

Credit Cards

To have a credit card in Japan, you need to obtain the approval from a credit card company. Please note that the eligibility for credit cards varies from company-to-company. International students often encounter issues when they apply for credit cards just after arriving in Japan, so we advise you to bring your credit card from your country of residence.
(Reference) University Co-op group Credit Card 
https://www.smbc-card.com/camp/numberless_student/univcoop.jsp (in Japanese)