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Banks
- Below is an explanation of how to open a bank account and ways of using it conveniently.
When opening a bank account, if you ask the bank to issue a cash card at the same time, it will allow you to use the services of the bank during hours when normal banking services are not available (after 3:00 in the afternoon, for example) and to withdraw cash at other banks. This is a significant convenience.
- Opening a bank account
To open a regular bank account, you will need the following items:
- Your alien registration or passport.
- Your seal (In the case of foreign residents, you may be able to sign the form in some cases rather than use a seal).
- Using a cash card
When you have opened an account, you can, if you wish, ask your bank to issue a cash card. This card will you enable you to withdraw, deposit or transfer money using an automatic telling machine (ATM) without waiting for service at the counter.
- Bank hours
Ordinarily, banks are open Monday through Friday from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. There is no charge to use your own account to withdraw or deposit your own funds. In general, cash cards can be used from 8:45 AM to 8:00 PM (Saturdays: 9:00 AM - 17:00 PM). However, in the case of holidays and special times, or when using another bank, there will be charges. Also, hours vary somewhat, depending on the specific bank. Ask your bank about the specific details.
- Remitting charges for public services using your bank account
To make a remittance for such public services as electricity, gas, water and telephone services, if you apply at your bank to have the charges for these services automatically withdrawn from your account, you will not need to go to the bank to remit.
In order to remit from your account yourself, you will need to take your bank deposit book, the seal that you used when opening your account and pre-prepared receipts for the previous month for the services for which you wish to pay.
- Seal
In Japan, it is normal to use a personal seal to stamp official documents and for banking documents in cases where you would ordinarily use a signature. A type of seal called a "nin-in" (Approval/acknowledgement seal) is used for receipts and for your bankbook. For such purposes as contacts and other legal documents, another type of seal, the "jitsu-in" (registered seal), is necessary.
This latter type of seal is made in a way so that it is difficult to copy and it is registered at your local ward, city, town or village office. When you use a registered seal, a Certificate of Seal Registration is necessary.
- Remitting money overseas
Money can be remitted to a bank or an individual account overseas. It is also possible to get the bank to issue a bank draft and send it overseas by mail.
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| Explanation of ATM terminology |
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Deposit
To deposit money in your own account |
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Withdrawal
To withdraw money from your own account |
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Posting
The machine will post all as yet un-posted transactions in your bankbook |
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Transfer
Sending money to another account |
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Balance
To check the current balance of your account |
Note: There are many ATMs that provide instruction for use in English. You should use the English instructions when they are available.
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