Support and Exchange Activities

Generally, main bank service counters are open from 9:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. on weekdays. CDs (cash dispenser) and ATMs can be used outside the regular business hours and on weekends. CDs and ATMs offer the following types of bank services:

CD・・・Cash withdrawals from your bank account and looking up bank account balances
ATM・・・The above services, as well as deposits, bank transfers, bank payments, etc.

You can make cash withdrawals using the CDs or ATMs at your own bank, as well as the CDs or ATMs of other private banking institutions. (Service charges may apply.)

Opening a Bank Account

Opening a bank account in your own name enables you to make deposits and withdrawals as well as to obtain a cash card for bank’s automatic teller machines (ATMs). To open a bank account, you need your Residence Card as proof of your identity and an inkan stamp instead of your signature.
You can apply for a cash card when opening your account and the card will be mailed to you within a few days.

Automatic Bank Transfers (“Koza Furikae”)

In Japan, public utilities such as gas, electricity, telephone, and taxes are generally paid by automatic bank transfers. Utility fees are automatically deducted from your regular bank account. It is very convenient to pay a bill through automatic bank transfer once you complete the necessary paperwork. It takes about a month to activate the automatic bank transfer.When you return to your home country, you need to close your bank account and thereby will not be able to use the automatic payment for the following month. Please be sure to go to bank teller to complete utility bill payment before returning to your country so that you do not trouble utility companies.

How to Apply for Automatic Bank Transfers

1 Use a ‘bank transfer application form’ at the bank where you have an account or have utility companies (electric or gas companies) send the form to you. Fill the following information and affix the inkan stamp that you registered with the bank: address, name, bank, branch name, and bank account number.

2 Submit “the bank transfer application form” to the bank or the public utility company.

Post Offices

Aside from normal postal service, post offices handle bank service (Japan Post Bank) as well. By opening a postal bank account, you can conveniently use their service such as automatic withdrawals of utility payment, inter-bank wiring and ATM. ATMs are available throughout the country and you can use cash cards at other banks.
Post office is open from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on weekdays. Deposits, bank transfers are available from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
You can send parcels or registered mail from post office. Large post offices offer 24-hour express and registered mail service.
Letters can be posted in red mail boxes with the 〒 sign. Stamps can be purchased at post offices, convenience stores, or anywhere with the 〒 sign. English-language assistance for postal service is available as follows.

＜Postal Services Information in English＞

Business Hours	Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m.-9:00 p.m.; Saturdays, Sundays and national holidays, 9:00 a.m.-9:00 p.m.
Tel	0120-23-28-86 (Recorded guidance in Japanese)You can’t call this number by cell phone. 0570-046-111 (For English) 0570-046-666 (For calls by cellular phone in Japanese) Information is also available on the Japan Post Group website

For parcels in Japan, small packages can be sent through the “Yu-pakku” service at the post office, or through private courier companies. Yu-pakku can be sent from post offices and stores with the 〒 sign.
Takuhaibin (private parcel service) is offered at convenience stores and stores displaying the shipping company’s sign. Prices vary depending on the package size, weight, and destination. As some items cannot be shipped, please check with shipping companies or post office.
For international packages, you can send them from the post office or private shipping companies. Please note that there are restrictions on exporting certain items. You may want to compare the service of private companies as each company offers different rates and covers different delivery
areas.