How to Open an Account With Japan Post Bank: A Guide for Foreigners

This article was reviewed on September, 2025. Information may have changed since publication, please verify with the relevant provider. Wise Payments Japan is not affiliated with Japan Post Bank. This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Please use your own judgment when making decisions. If you have any concerns, please reach contact the bank

Opening a Japan Post Bank account as a foreigner can seem complicated, but it doesn’t have to be. Japan Post Bank, also known as Yucho Bank, is a popular choice for newcomers because of its wide branch network and straightforward services.

This guide explains how to open a Japan Post Bank account for foreigners, what documents you’ll need, and what to expect at each step. You’ll also learn how Wise can help you save money when sending or receiving funds internationally, making it easier to manage your finances in Japan.

💡Discover the Wise Account

The types of Japan Post Bank accounts

In general there are two different types of Japan Post Bank accounts. Bankbook-type general accounts where you receive a physical bankbook (通帳 tsuucho) and Yucho Direct Plus. ¹

Based on information found on 30 September 2025.

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Requirements to open an account with Japan Post Bank

Opening a Japan Post Bank account has some requirements and necessary documents for foreigners who wish to open a bank account.

Eligibility for foreigners to open a Japan Post Bank account²

• Individuals who do not have a general account with Japan Post Bank
• Individuals residing in Japan
• Individuals aged 16 and older

I am not a resident, can I open a Japan Post bank account?

Unfortunately, no. A resident card (在留カード zairyu card) is required to apply for an account. As such, foreign nationals without a resident card may not open a bank account with Japan Post Bank. In addition, the individuals are not eligible to open a bank account as well:

• Individuals whose name includes roman numbers (II, III, etc.)
• Individuals who are in significant public positions with foreign governments (Foreign PEPs) and their family members
• Individuals who wish to use an account for business purposes
• Corporate and organization (association / foundation without legal personality) customers

Based on information found on 30 September 2025.

Required documents to open a Japan Post Bank account

The necessary documents and items you need will vary depending on if you open a Bankbook-type General Account or a Yucho Direct Plus account.

Bankbook-type General Account

Required documents:

Residence card (在留カード）

• Ensure that period of validity does not expire within three months²
• Also,if you are opening an account and your status of residence is “Student” or “Technical Intern Training”, you will need your student ID card(学生証 gakuseisho), employee ID card (社員証 shain sho), or certificate of enrollment (在学証明書 zaigaku shomeisho).
• If you do not have a student ID card, employee ID card, or other ID that proves that you belong to a school, company, or other organization, please use the employee/student registration certificate format on Yucho’s website.

Yucho Direct Plus

If you wish to manage your Yucho bank account online from anywhere, Japan Post Bank offers a bankbook-free general account called “Yucho Direct+” (Yucho Direct Plus) .

You will need:

Yucho Tetsuzuki App (ゆうちょ続きアプリ）

• Download the app from the App Store or from the Google Play Store

Yucho Authentication App (ゆうちょ認証アプリ yuucho ninshou app)

• Download the app from the App Store or from the Google Play Store

A valid email address

• The notification of the screening results will be sent to this email address

Required documents:

Residence card (在留カード）

• Ensure that period of validity does not expire within three months²
• Also,if you are opening an account and your status of residence is “Student” or “Technical Intern Training”, you will need your student ID card(学生証 gakuseisho), employee ID card (社員証 shain sho), or certificate of enrollment (在学証明書 zaigaku shomeisho).
• If you do not have a student ID card, employee ID card, or other ID that proves that you belong to a school, company, or other organization, please use the employee/student registration certificate format on Yucho’s website.

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Step-by-step guide to opening an account with Japan Post Bank

In-person at a JP Bank branch

Prepare the required documents

• Passport
• Residence Card (在留カード zairyuu card) that has your address in Japan
• Student ID Card (学生証 gakuseisho) or Permission Letter (許可証 kyokasho)
• Hanko stamp/seal if you have one
• Taxpayer identification number if issued in your home country
• Completed application form

Filling in the application

There is an application form in 16 different languages* including English, Vietnamese, Indonesian, Tagalog and Chinese.

• The procedure and important notices are written on the “Using this Site” tab on their websiteexplaining the following:
  • How to fill in the online application form
  • What you will receive upon opening an account
  • The different types of accounts available
• Fill in the online application form as required
• Print out the form
• Sign and affix your personal seal or signature as indicated

※As of September 30, 2025

Find a Japan Post Bank location

• Not all Japan Post offices will have bank tellers so double check for the opening hours of the one that is the most convenient for you.
• Make sure to bring someone who can speak Japanese along or have a translation app ready just in case there are no English speaking staff available.
• Once you are there, approach the staff and tell them that you would like to open a bank account.

Here is a table of useful phrases you can find on application forms or use to communicate at the bank counter.

Receiving your bankbook and ATM card (cash card)

• Once you’re done with opening an account with JP bank, you’ll receive a bankbook at the window.
• If you have selected “bankbook and cashcard”, your card will be delivered to your address in about one to two weeks.

Online application³

Follow the steps below to apply for a Yucho Direct account.

Prepare the required items

1. Yucho Tetsuzuki App (ゆうちょ手続きアプリ）
2. Yucho Authentication App (ゆうちょ認証アプリ yuucho ninshou app)
3. Residence card (在留カード zairyuu card）with at more than 3 months validity

Confirmation of Important Notices

Select “Open a new account”.

• Read Japan Post Bank’s personal information handling policy and select “Agree” if you agree”

Enter branch code if you were introduced to the app.

• If not, select “I was not introduced to the app”

Review important notices.

Select your ‘Foreign nationality’ as your nationality if you are not a Japanese citizen.

Identity Verification

Residence Card verification

Select ‘Have it’ when asked if you have a residence card

Enter your Residence Card number

Scan the IC chip in your residence card

• Follow the on-screen guidance
• A checkmark will appear if the scan was successful

Take a photo of the back of your residence card

• Follow the in-app instructions
• Ensure that the photo is not blurry

Facial verification

Take a photo of your face

• A green checkmark will appear if successfully completed

Opening an account

• Upload a photo of your Residence Card (front side)
• Create a PIN for your cash card
• Verify your phone number
• Completion of Application

Useful Japanese words and phrases

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Managing your Japan Post Account

Using Yucho Direct

Yucho Direct allows you to manage your finances online. All you need is a smartphone and the app to check your balances and make payments. Moreover, you can use Yucho Direct to deposit savings, make changes to your limits, and do international money transfers.

Using your bank book and ATM

Checking your balances

• You must bring your bank book (or cash card) with you to the bank or ATM to check your balances.
• Select 残高照会 (zandaka-shokai), which is balance inquiry in Japanese, and insert your bank book so the transactions will be recorded.

Transferring money

• You must bring your bank book (or cash card) to make a bank transfer in Japan. Japan Post Bank may require payment slips if you wish to use cash. Make sure you bring it with you.
• On the ATM screen, select お振込み (ofurikomi) or ご送金 (gosoukin), which means Transfer in Japanese.
• The next screen may have options whether you want to fund the transfer from your account or deposit cash. Here are some Japanese words and phrases you might find on the screen.

• After selecting your transfer option, insert your cash card or bank book, and enter your PIN number.
• Search for the bank and enter the recipient’s details, such as bank, branch and account number.
• If you cannot find the bank on the list, press その他 (sonohoka) “others” button.
• When you enter the branch name, look for the word 英字 (eiji) which means “English” and select the branch.
• Enter the account number (7-digits). If you only have the symbol (5-digit) and number (8-digit), you can look up the branch name for transfers and account number on Japan Post Bank’s website.
• After all information is correct, press the button 確認 (kakunin) to confirm the transfer. Refer to the list above for more Japanese words and phrases.

Fees and charges

Notes:

• When using certain cards issued abroad, an ATM usage fee of 220 JPY (incl. tax) may apply.
• Single transaction withdrawal limit is 50,000 JPY.⁴

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Transferring money to your Wise account

You can open a Wise Account online or in the Wise app, and add funds in JPY or any of the other 20+ supported pay-in currencies.

Once you hold a currency you can spend it using a linked Wise Multi-Currency Card, send payments to others, or convert it to the currency you need, from the 40+ supported holding currency options.

To add money to your Wise Account you’ll first need to add a currency. Here’s how to add JPY or any other currencies that you may wish to add.

1. Log into your Wise Account online or in the Wise app
2. Tap the + Open option, at the top of the home screen
3. Select Add a currency
4. Tap the option to add JPY from the selection of currencies shown

If it’s the first currency you've added you’ll be asked to complete a verification step, and to deposit a small amount of money to activate your account.

You’ll be guided through the process by onscreen prompts and the funds you add to your account are yours to spend or send as you like.

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Save on international transfers with Wise

Navigating international transfers with traditional banks can be pricey and cumbersome, with hidden fees and poor exchange rates. With Wise, you can transfer money abroad quickly, at the mid-market exchange rate, and with clear, low fees.

Main characteristics of Wise

• Send money to 140 countries with low cost
• Hold and exchange over 40 currencies with one account
• Get great value when exchanging foreign currency to Japanese yen at mid-market rates
• Wise debit card can be used across more than 160 countries
• Acquire local account details in 10 difference currencies including the U.S, Europe, Singapore, etc.
• Licensed service in Japan: Wise Payments Japan K.K is licensed as Type 1 and type 2 funds transfer service provider in Japan

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Keep more of your money and make managing your finances in Japan effortless.

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FAQ

Do I need a personal seal or Hanko to open an account?

No. Personal seal, also known as “inkan” or “hanko” is not required for opening an account at Japan Post Bank.

How long does it take to open a Japan Post Bank account?

Using the Yucho Tetsuzuki App, confirmation by the Savings Administration Center takes approximately 1 week.

Can I apply for Yucho Direct after applying for a bankbook-type general account?

Customers who already have a general account of Japan Post Bank cannot apply for Yucho Direct.

Can I apply for a credit card while I’m opening a bank account with Japan Post Bank?

Japan Post Bank offers credit cards, which are called the JP BANK VISA Card and JP Bank MasterCard. These cards combine the credit card and ATM card features. However, the service is only available in Japanese.

There is Japan Post Bank Debit Card that foreigners can apply, only if:⁵

• You are a resident in Japan under the Income Tax Act or the Foreign Exchange and Foreign Trade Act.
• If your period of stay in Japan notified to Japan Post Bank is longer than one year from the date of application
• If you don’t have a JP BANK CARD (credit card)
• If you don’t have a debit card yet
• If you are older than 15 years old
• If your account isn’t a corporate account, transfer account, business account, ordinary savings account, integrated account without cash service
• If your membership hasn’t been revoked in the past

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Key takeaways

• There are two ways to open an account with Japan Post Bank: Apply at the JP Bank branch or apply online through Yucho Tetsuzuki App.
• Yucho Direct is a JP Bank online banking account you can apply in English and use to manage your money, check balances, transfer money, etc.
• Wise allows you to quickly transfer money to 140 countries with 40 different currencies at a low cost.

This article was reviewed on September, 2025. Information may have changed since publication, please verify with the relevant provider. Wise Payments Japan is not affiliated with Japan Post Bank. This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Please use your own judgment when making decisions. If you have any concerns, please contact the bank

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Sources

1. The Yucho Tetsuzuki App makes it easy for you to manage your Japan Post Bank account.
2. Detailed User Manual
3. Yucho Tetsuzuki App - User Guide
4. International ATM Service-JAPAN POST BANK
5. Please check before applying Japan Post Bank Debit.