How to Open a Sony Bank Account in Japan | Registration Guide

This article was reviewed on August 13, 2025. Information may have changed since publication, please verify with the relevant provider. Wise Payments Japan is not affiliated with Sony Bank. This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Please use your own judgment when making decisions.

You may have heard the word “Sony” from countless mechanical and electronic products that have developed over time. Sony Group is a highly recognized corporation that owns many companies across Japan—so is Sony Bank.

Sony Bank is an online bank that has no branches. Although the website covers application guidelines and information in English, they have stopped their application service via English online banking. Meaning, you will need to go through the application in Japanese.

Table of contents
Can a foreigner open a Sony Bank account in Japan? Fees charged by Sony bank How to open a bank account with Sony bank Manage money internationally: Wise account

Disclaimer: This article is not sponsored by or affiliated with Sony Bank and has only been reviewed by Wise, not the bank. For more information, please be sure to visit their website.

Can a foreigner open a Sony Bank account in Japan?

Yes, a foreigner can open a Sony Bank account if they are a resident in Japan.

If you are not a Japanese citizen, apply for “Account Opening by Mail”. “Smartphone account opening“ and “Paperless account opening” are not available.

Eligibility for application¹:

• You are over 15 years old and resident in Japan
• You have been in Japan for at least 6 months

Fees charged by Sony bank

Standard fees

There is no bank account maintenance fee or investment trust fees.²

Here are the fees for statements:

Fees for statements (consumption tax incl.)³
Item	Fee
Account balance letter Issue fee (issued periodically)	Free
Japanese certificate of balance Issue fee	440JPY per copy
English certificate of balance Issue fee(*1)	440JPY per copy
Japanese Transaction statement (issued periodically)	440JPY
Past transaction statements (only in Japanese)(*2)	440JPY

(*1) If you wish to add items other than those prescribed, the fee will be 880JPY per copy. Please contact the English help desk to request an English Certificate of Balance Request Form. (*2) You will need to submit a Transaction Statement Request form to receive your past transaction statements.

ATM withdrawal fees⁴

There are no additional fees when using affiliated ATMs after business hours (including night-time, or on weekends and bank holidays).

Item	Fee
Deposit and balance inquiry	Free
Withdrawal	110JPY per withdrawal *4 free-waived withdrawals per month

Domestic transfer

Item	Fee⁵
Fund Transfer	Between Sony Bank accounts	From Sony Bank to other institutions
	Free	110JPY per transfer *one fee-waived transfer per month
Refund request fee	330JPY	330JPY

International transfer

The following are the fees charged for remitting foreign currency from Sony Bank accounts to overseas financial institutions or other financial institutions in Japan.

Item	Fee⁶
Outgoing foreign currency remittance (*1)	3,000JPY
Paying bank's charge (*2)	3,000JPY
Refund request	5,000JPY
Change of transaction details	5,000JPY
Inquiries	5,000JPY

(*1) Check the "Outgoing Foreign Currency Remittance" page to get further details on Outgoing foreign currency remittance fees. (*2) A fee of 3,000 yen will be charged when you select "Remitter" for paying a bank charge.

Notes:

• If you are making a foreign currency fund transfers between Sony Bank accounts, no fees are required.
• Regarding outgoing foreign currency remittance, Sony bank doesn’t accept Chinese Yuan (CNH) or Brazilian Real remittances.
• Outgoing foreign currency remittances fees are not taxable.
• Depending on your Club S membership level, the remittance fee can be waived up to 3 times per month.
• Sony bank doesn’t charge any fees for incoming foreign currency remittances, however other banks involved in the remittance like intermediary banks may charge fees before the funds arrive in your account.

How to open a bank account with Sony bank

Required documents¹

You will need to send the following combination of identification documents to confirm that you have been in Japan for at least 6 months.

Either one of these:

• Residence Card (Zairyu card) and Certificate of Residence (Jyu-min-hyo)
• Special Permanent Resident Certificate and Certificate of Residence (Jyu-min-hyo)

Notes regarding the Certificate of Residence (Jyu-min-hyo):

• The Certificate of Residence (Jyu-min-hyo) cannot be a copy. You must send the original document that has the date of issue and the seal of the issuer.
• The Certificate of Residence is only valid for 6 months.
• Make sure to not include your Individual Number (My Number).
• If your Individual Number is included, cover it before sending it to Sony Bank.

Notes regarding the Residence Card (Zairyu card) / Special Permanent Resident Certificate:

• Make sure the Residence Card is valid.
• Make a photocopy with your name, address and date of birth clearly visible (do not enlarge or reduce the size of the photocopy on A4 size paper).
• If the address or changed details are on the reverse side or on a separate page, please make a copy of that information as well.
• If the document has a seal impression, please make sure that the impression is clear.

Steps of opening a bank account with Sony Bank¹

As of September 11, 2025, below are steps of opening a Sony Bank account:

1. Either print out the application form PDF online or order the form and have them send it to you (in that case, select「郵送で取り寄せる」)
2. Fill in the application.
3. Prepare the required documents.
4. Send the application form and required documents to the Sony Bank address below:

Address:
〒240-8790 保土ヶ谷郵便局 私書箱26号 ソニー銀行株式会社「口座開設担当」係

1. After document review is done, a bank account will be set up.
2. You will receive your card via post mail.

Sony Bank Operating Hours

Sony Bank customer center is operating from 9 am to 5 pm. Emergency number for fraudulent use of cash card, website, and bank transfer fraud is operating 24 hours a day, all-year-round.

Partner ATMs of Sony Bank are generally open during the hours listed below. Check the ATM information page for more details.

Bank	Hours
Seven Bank	Mon: 7:00 - 24:00 Tue - Sat: 0:00 - 24:00 Sun: 0:00 - 21:00
Aeon Bank	Mon: 7:00 - 24:00 Tue - Sat: 0:00 - 24:00 Sun: 0:00 - 21:00
E-net Bank	Mon: 7:00 - 24:00 Tue - Sat: 0:00 - 24:00 Sun: 0:00 - 21:00
Lawson Bank	Mon: 7:00 - 24:00 Tue - Sat: 0:00 - 24:00 Sun: 0:00 - 21:00
Yucho Bank	Mon - Fri: 9:00- 20:00 Sat, Sun, holidays: 9:00 - 17:00 Dec. 31 - Jan. 3: 9:00 - 17:00
Mitsubishi UFJ Bank	Mon: 7:00 - 23:50 Tue - Sat: 6:00 - 23:50 Sun: 6:00 - 21:00 2nd Sat of the month: 6:00 - 21:00 \ 2nd Sun of the month: 7:00 - 21:00
SMBC	Mon: 7:00 - 24:00 Tue - Sat: 0:00 - 24:00 Sun: 0:00 - 21:00

Sony Bank Contact Numbers

There is an English help desk available at Sony Bank. You can contact them through “Start a chat” on the website. Check here for more information and contact numbers

The Contact Point for the Customer Complaints and Inquiries | Sony Bank

Manage money internationally: Wise account

To manage your money across currencies and country borders, check out the Wise account. Wise offers an online application system with multiple languages. Currently, there are 18 languages to choose from.

You can start your application and complete identity verification online, often before you arrive in Japan. Once approved, your debit card can be delivered to your registered address. Wise offers an English-language onboarding process designed to make account setup simple and convenient!

Easy steps to open Wise account:

1. Sign-up online or download the Wise app
2. Add account information
3. Verify IDs (Passport, National ID card, Driver’s License)
4. Add funds to your currency
5. Set up your payment: Enter the amount you want to send and check the cost and estimated delivery time.
6. Order a Wise debit card and start using it!

In summary, you can enjoy the following benefits by using Wise card:

Benefits of using Wise
Open to both Japanese residents and non-residents Fast application and verification process to open a Wise account Send money to 70+ countries Use Wise card in 150+ countries Hold 40+ currencies Mid-market exchange rate currency conversion No minimum balance or monthly fees Get a linked Wise card for spending

Sign up for a free account

Some key takeaways from this article:

• Sony Bank is an online bank that doesn’t have any store or branch.
• Sony Bank has stopped the English online application. You will need to send an application form and required documents via post mail.
• Foreigners can open an account if they are a resident in Japan and have been in the country for at least six months.
• You get four free ATM withdrawals per month at Sony Bank affiliated ATMs.

Disclaimer: This article is not sponsored by or affiliated with Sony Bank and has only been reviewed by Wise, not the bank. For more information, please be sure to visit their website.

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Sources:

1. 「郵送での口座開設」お申込のご案内
2. ソニー銀行のメリット
3. Statements | Fees | Sony Bank
4. ATM Information | Sony Bank
5. Fund Transfer/ATM | Fees | Sony Bank
6. Foreign Currency Deposits & Remittance | Fees | Sony Bank