Japan Bank Account Opening

This page compares 9 accounts available in Japan, listing minimum deposit, monthly fee, how to apply and non-resident eligibility one by one: 7 can be opened fully online, 0 explicitly accept non-residents, 9 have no minimum deposit. Click any account for the full document checklist, pros and cons and common rejection reasons.

Data updated 2026-10-01 · compiled from published bank terms

Full comparison9 accounts

AccountRegionTypeMinimum depositMonthly feeHow to applyNon-residentsRating
Rakuten Bank Japan Digital Bank 无最低存款要求 零管理费 Online Conditional ★ 4.5
Sony Bank Japan Digital Bank 无最低存款要求 零管理费 Online Conditional ★ 4.4
PayPay Bank Japan Digital Bank 无最低存款要求 零管理费 Online Conditional ★ 4.3
SBI Sumishin Net Bank Japan Digital Bank 无最低存款要求 零管理费(按等级给 ATM/转账免费次数) Online Conditional ★ 4.3
au Jibun Bank Japan Digital Bank 无最低存款要求 零管理费 Online Conditional ★ 4.2
GMO Aozora Net Bank Japan Digital Bank 无最低存款要求 零管理费 Online Conditional ★ 4.1
Minna Bank Japan Digital Bank 无最低存款要求 零管理费 Online Not for non-residents ★ 4.1
MUFG Bank Japan Traditional Bank 无首存要求(1 日元即可开户) 免账户管理费 Must visit Conditional ★ 3.9
SMBC Japan Traditional Bank 无首存要求 免账户管理费 Must visit Conditional ★ 3.5

FAQ

Can non-residents open a bank account in Japan?

None of the 9 accounts on this page is open to non-residents without conditions, but 8 accept foreigners who meet extra requirements (MUFG Bank, SMBC, Sony Bank) — typically a valid visa or residence permit, and usually an in-branch visit. See each account page for details.

Do I have to visit Japan in person to open an account?

Not necessarily. 7 of the 9 accounts can be opened fully online (Sony Bank, Rakuten Bank, PayPay Bank), with no branch visit; the remaining 2 still require a branch visit or an appointment. Online opening depends on whether your documents pass automated checks.

How much money do I need to open an account in Japan?

Minimums vary widely — see the "Minimum deposit" column. 9 account(s) have no minimum deposit, so you need not fund on day one. Also watch the minimum balance and monthly fee; dormant accounts can incur charges.

How long does it take to open an account in Japan?

It depends on the account: online accounts are usually approved within minutes to a few working days, while branch or manually reviewed accounts typically take 1 to 3 weeks. The "How to apply" column shows the channel for each account, and timings are on the individual pages.