Japanese banks are known for their security, efficiency, and excellent customer service. For foreign residents, opening and using a bank account is a fundamental step to managing finances, receiving a salary, and paying bills. While the process can seem daunting due to the paperwork and language, it is quite systematic.
This comprehensive guide provides the essential Japanese you’ll need to navigate every aspect of banking in Japan. We will walk you through opening an account, interacting with staff at the counter, using ATMs, and performing key transactions like domestic and international money transfers. With these phrases and vocabulary, you can handle your banking needs with confidence.
Chapter 1: Opening an Account (口座開設)
Opening a bank account is the first major step for any resident. To do so, you will need several documents, typically including your Residence Card (在留カード), passport, and often a personal seal (印鑑 or 判子). Some banks may also ask for a Japanese phone number or your My Number Card. The process involves filling out several forms, so it’s best to go when you have plenty of time.
— Starting the Process —
銀行口座を開設したいです。
ぎんこうこうざをかいせつしたいです。
Ginkō kōza o kaisetsu shitai desu.
I would like to open a bank account.
銀行口座 (ぎんこうこうざ, ginkō kōza) = Bank account
を開設したいです (をかいせつしたいです, o kaisetsu shitai desu) = I want to open
普通預金口座をお願いします。
ふつうよきんこうざをおねがいします。
Futsū yokin kōza o onegai shimasu.
A regular savings account, please.
普通預金口座 (ふつうよきんこうざ, futsū yokin kōza) = Ordinary savings account
お願いします (おねがいします, onegai shimasu) = Please
— Essential Vocabulary for Account Opening —
口座開設 (こうざかいせつ, Kōza kaisetsu) – Opening a bank account
普通預金 (ふつうよきん, Futsū yokin) – Ordinary savings account
身分証明書 (みぶんしょうめいしょ, Mibun shōmeisho) – Identification document
在留カード (ざいりゅうかーど, Zairyū kādo) – Residence Card
印鑑 / 判子 (いんかん / はんこ, Inkan / Hanko) – Personal seal / stamp
署名 (しょめい, Shomei) – Signature
Chapter 2: At the Counter (窓口で)
For tasks that cannot be done at an ATM, you will need to visit a service window (窓口, madoguchi). Upon entering the bank, a staff member will greet you and ask the purpose of your visit. They will then direct you to take a numbered ticket (番号札, bangōfuda) from a machine. You then wait in the lobby until your number is called and displayed on a screen, indicating which counter to go to.
— At the Service Window —
通帳に記入をお願いします。
つうちょうにきにゅうをおねがいします。
Tsūchō ni kinyū o onegai shimasu.
Please update my passbook.
通帳に (つうちょうに, tsūchō ni) = In the passbook
記入 (きにゅう, kinyū) = Entry / to fill in
をお願いします (をおねがいします, o onegai shimasu) = Please do for me
ドルを円に両替したいです。
どるをえんにりょうがえしたいです。
Doru o en ni ryōgae shitai desu.
I want to exchange dollars for yen.
ドル (どる, doru) = Dollar
を円に (をえんに, o en ni) = to Yen
両替したいです (りょうがえしたいです, ryōgae shitai desu) = I want to exchange
— Essential Counter Vocabulary —
窓口 (まどぐち, Madoguchi) – Service Window / Counter
番号札 (ばんごうふだ, Bangōfuda) – Numbered ticket
通帳 (つうちょう, Tsūchō) – Bankbook (Passbook)
両替 (りょうがえ, Ryōgae) – Currency exchange
手数料 (てすうりょう, Tesūryō) – Handling fee / Commission
申込書 (もうしこみしょ, Mōshikomisho) – Application form
Chapter 3: Using the ATM (ATMの使い方)
Japanese ATMs are highly functional, allowing you to do much more than just withdraw cash. While most modern machines offer an English language option, knowing the basic Japanese terms on the main menu is extremely helpful for quick and efficient transactions. The main screen will typically present you with several options for the type of transaction you wish to make.
— Essential ATM Vocabulary —
お預入れ (おあずけいれ, O-azukeire) – Deposit
お引出し (おひきだし, O-hikidashi) – Withdrawal
お振込み (おふりこみ, O-furikomi) – Bank Transfer
通帳記入 (つうちょうきにゅう, Tsūchō kinyū) – Passbook Update
残高照会 (ざんだかしょうかい, Zandaka shōkai) – Balance Inquiry
確認 (かくにん, Kakunin) – Confirm
訂正 (ていせい, Teisei) – Correct / Revise
取消 (とりけし, Torikeshi) – Cancel
Chapter 4: Domestic Money Transfers (振込)
A bank transfer, or “furikomi” (振込), is the standard way to pay for rent, utilities, and other large expenses in Japan. This can be done at an ATM or at the counter. To make a transfer, you will need the recipient’s bank name (銀行名), branch name (支店名), account type (e.g., 普通), and account number (口座番号).
— Making a Transfer —
振込をお願いします。
ふりこみをおねがいします。
Furikomi o onegai shimasu.
I’d like to make a bank transfer, please.
振込 (ふりこみ, furikomi) = Bank transfer
をお願いします (をおねがいします, o onegai shimasu) = Please do for me
振込用紙の書き方を教えてください。
ふりこみようしのかきかたをおしえてください。
Furikomi yōshi no kakikata o oshiete kudasai.
Please show me how to fill out the transfer form.
振込用紙 (ふりこみようし, furikomi yōshi) = Transfer form
の書き方 (のかきかた, no kakikata) = Way of writing
教えてください (おしえてください, oshiete kudasai) = Please show/tell me
— Essential Transfer Vocabulary —
振込用紙 (ふりこみようし, Furikomi yōshi) – Transfer form
受取人名 (うけとりにんめい, Uketorinin-mei) – Recipient’s Name
銀行名 (ぎんこうめい, Ginkō-mei) – Bank Name
支店名 (してんめい, Shiten-mei) – Branch Name
口座番号 (こうざばんごう, Kōza bangō) – Account Number
依頼人 (いらいにん, Irainin) – Sender / Remitter
Chapter 5: International Money Transfers (海外送金)
Sending money outside of Japan is a common need for many foreign residents. This service is offered at most major banks and larger post offices. The process requires filling out a dedicated form and presenting valid identification, which usually includes your Residence Card and My Number Card. Be prepared to provide detailed information about the recipient.
— At the Transfer Counter —
海外送金をしたいです。
かいがいそうきんをしたいです。
Kaigai sōkin o shitai desu.
I would like to make an international money transfer.
海外送金 (かいがいそうきん, kaigai sōkin) = International money transfer
をしたいです (をしたいです, o shitai desu) = I want to do
手数料はいくらですか。
てすうりょうはいくらですか。
Tesūryō wa ikura desu ka?
How much is the fee?
手数料 (てすうりょう, tesūryō) = Handling fee
はいくらですか (はいくらですか, wa ikura desu ka) = How much is it?
— Essential Transfer Vocabulary —
受取人 (うけとりにん, Uketorinin) – Beneficiary / Recipient
送金目的 (そうきんもくてき, Sōkin mokuteki) – Purpose of remittance
通貨 (つうか, Tsūka) – Currency
為替レート (かわせれーと, Kawase rēto) – Exchange rate
マイナンバーカード (マイナンバーカード, Mai nambā kādo) – My Number Card
SWIFTコード (すいふとこーど, Suifuto kōdo) – SWIFT Code
Chapter 6: Updating Your Information
It is very important to keep your personal information registered with the bank up-to-date. If you move, you must notify the bank of your new address (住所変更). Likewise, if you lose your cash card or passbook, you should report it immediately to have them reissued and prevent unauthorized use.
— Administrative Tasks —
住所変更をしたいです。
じゅうしょへんこうをしたいです。
Jūsho henkō o shitai desu.
I’d like to change my address.
住所変更 (じゅうしょへんこう, jūsho henkō) = Change of Address
をしたいです (をしたいです, o shitai desu) = I want to do
キャッシュカードをなくしました。
きゃっしゅかーどをなくしました。
Kyasshu kādo o nakushimashita.
I lost my cash card.
キャッシュカード (きゃっしゅかーど, kyasshu kādo) = Cash card
をなくしました (をなくしました, o nakushimashita) = I lost (past tense)
— Essential Admin Vocabulary —
届出事項の変更 (とどけでじこうのへんこう, Todokedejikō no henkō) – Change of registered information
氏名変更 (しめいへんこう, Shimei henkō) – Change of Name
再発行 (さいはっこう, Sai-hakkō) – Reissue (of a card, etc.)
紛失 (ふんしつ, Funshitsu) – Loss (of an item)
盗難 (とうなん, Tōnan) – Theft
解約 (かいやく, Kaiyaku) – Closing an account
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