You will most likely have a general account set up for you with a local bank into which your wages will be paid. This may be convenient but the fact that you cannot use your card outside of your prefecture is not very convenient. Interest is very low on these accounts at virtually zero. Automatic payments of bills is possible from these accounts as long as the debit is set up correctly. You will also be issued with a cash card for this account and you may request a Visa card for the account once you get your Alien Registration Card.

Setting up a postal savings account is a good move. If you bank with one of the regional banks then you are very restricted once you leave your prefecture, however if you open a post office General Savings Account you get a variety of benefits. You can use the nationwide cashpoint/ATM network free of charge. These ATM's all have an English language option for ease of use. You can also withdraw and deposit at any post office nationwide. Interest tends to be better than those of banks, but the rate is still poor. You may also set up automatic bill payments from these accounts. If you are going to leave the country or prefecture in the future you can keep you post office account. They also offer online banking so you can manage your account from your home country. Very useful and a good way of putting money aside for savings.

To get an account all you need is some identification, a passport or your alien registration card will do, and an initial deposit (minimum 10 yen). Simply ask for the application forms which are very easy to fill out, only address and date of birth. You will be asked if you would like a cash card for the account and then you must supply a four digit pin code of your choice. You can sign the forms as you would do in the west you will not need a hanko. The whole process is very easy and it should take about 5 to 10 minutes for your account and savings book to be ready.

Banks in Japan are open Monday to Friday 9:00- 15:00. They are closed on Saturdays, Sundays and legal holidays. Lunchtime is always busy and you may have to wait half an hour for service so try to visit at other hours whilst half of Japan is not doing its banking.

FURIKOMI BANK TRANSFER

ATM's/Cash points in Japan allow you to transfer money to other accounts, incurring a small charge. This is a useful service to pay certain bills with or to put money into other peoples accounts. All you need are the details of the person or company's bank and account. Take these details to your bank and ask the attendant to help you with a furikomi and they will help you at the cashpoint/ATM. After your first transfer the ATM will ask you whether you would like a card printed which includes details of the bank account you just transferred money to. You can then use this card to speed up the process on future transfers.