Finance & Banking

TIP

Japan Post Bank is recommended as the easiest first bank account for newcomers. Branches are located in every post office nationwide and the process is relatively straightforward.

Major Banks

• Japan Post Bank - Most accessible for foreigners with branches in every post office across the country.
• MUFG Bank - Japan's largest bank with extensive ATM and branch networks.
• Mizuho Bank - One of Japan's three mega-banks with solid international services.
• SMBC - Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation, another mega-bank with English support options.
• Citibank Japan - Good option if you already have a Citi account abroad for easier transfers.

Online & Digital Banks

• Sony Bank - Best foreign currency account in Japan with English support online.
• Rakuten Bank - Popular online-only bank with rewards points and easy mobile app.
• SBI Shinsei Bank - Long-time favorite of foreigners thanks to English support and no-fee ATMs.
• Seven Bank - Best ATM network for foreign card withdrawals (in every 7-Eleven).

International Money Transfers

• Wise - The cheapest and fastest way to transfer money in/out of Japan. Essential for newcomers.
• Revolut Japan - Multi-currency account with debit card, good for travelers and expats.
• Remitly - Popular for sending money home to many countries.
• GoRemit by Shinsei - Japan-based service for international outgoing transfers.

Investing & Brokerages

• SBI Securities - Japan's largest online broker. NISA, iDeCo, and global stock access.
• Rakuten Securities - Another major online broker with strong NISA and crypto support.
• Monex - Foreigner-friendly broker with U.S. stock access.
• Interactive Brokers Japan - Global trading platform for residents of Japan.
• r/JapanFinance - The best community for foreigners discussing investing, taxes, NISA, and iDeCo in Japan.
• RetireJapan - English-language blog and forum on investing and retirement in Japan.

Investing & Markets

• Tokyo Stock Exchange - Japan's primary stock exchange.
• Nikkei Indexes - Real-time data on Japan's major market indexes.
• Nikkei Interactive - English financial news from the Nikkei.
• Nikkei Weekly - Weekly English-language business publication.
• Wall Street Journal Japan - International financial coverage with Japan-relevant reporting.
• Japan Securities Agents - Resources for understanding brokerage and securities trading in Japan.

Taxes

• Guide to Metropolitan Taxes - Available from the Tokyo Metropolitan Citizens Information Room. Phone: 03/5321-1111.
• JCRA - Japan Credit Rating Agency, useful for understanding credit and financial ratings.