How do I open a bank account and what services do banks offer?

Opening an account

The following items are required:
1)Inkan(owner's seal)- a signature is also permitted.
2)Identification (Passport, and Alien Registration Certificate or Driver's License)

Upon opening an account, you will receive a passbook and a cash card. The latter may be used to withdraw money from, deposit money into, and check the balance of your account.

Business Hours

(Service Hours and Service Charge are different by each banking agency.)

	Regular Services	Automatic Teller Machines
Monday-Friday	9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.	8:45 a.m.-6:00 p.m. Some branches allow withdrawals up to 7:00 p.m., but there is a service charge of ¥105(or ¥210) between 6:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m.
Saturday	Closed	9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m., withdrawals and account information only. ¥105(or ¥210) service charge for withdrawals between 2:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m.
Sunday	Closed	9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m., Note: Some ATM's do not operate on Sundays. Withdrawals and account information only. ¥105(or ¥210) service charge for withdrawals.
Holiday and 12/31-1/3	Closed	Closed

Deposits, withdrawals and remittances at the counter

There are specific printed forms for each transaction. When you withdraw money, you need your inkan.

Currency Exchange

Almost any bank can exchange your money, but branches without a designation for currency exchanges will take longer. In the designated currency exchange banks, except for U.S. dollars, you can expect to wait a few days when exchanging foreign currency. In the non-designated bank branches, for all foreign currency, you can expect to wait longer.

Payment of public utility bills

Electricity, gas, water, telephone and T.V. charges must be paid by the designated dates. If you notify your bank, the fee can be automatically withdrawn from your account. You will then receive a receipt of the transaction. You can ask for the same service from the post office.

Sending money abroad

You can send money abroad at most branches, but at branches without designations for authorized foreign exchanges, a few extra days might be required to go through an authorized foreign exchange branch.

* Method of remittance *

a.Demand draft
:Your check may be made out to anyone. The recipent need only cash your check at the bank specified on the
check.

b.Mail transfer
:A transfer statement is sent by mail.

c.Telegraphic transfer
:A transfer statement is sent by telegraph.

* Method of payment *

a.Payment on application
:Payment is made when the recipent requests his money.
You must decide on some method to confirm the identity of recipent.

b.Advice and pay
:Be notified and paid upon the arrival of the transfer statement.
You must enter the recipent's account number and address.