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| You may open an account at a bank or post office to manage your own money. |
*Opening a bank account
- To open your account at a bank, you are requested to present valid identification such as your passport, driver's license or alien registration certificate. While your personal seal (hanko/inkan) is also required, your signature may be accepted at some banks.
- You can request an ATM card (commonly called "cash card" in Japan) when you open the account. With your ATM card, you may withdraw, deposit and transfer money through your account and also check the balance of your account on the ATM.
- Combined with a credit card, multifunctional ATM cards are also available at some banks.
- Interest rates vary between banks and account types. Choose the one that best fits your needs.
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*ATM (Automated Teller Machine)
- Many ATMs are available only in Japanese, although some ATMs have a bilingual display in Japanese and English.
- ATMs are found at banks and many convenience stores. You may be charged for withdrawals during certain time periods.
- You can also use your ATM card at the ATMs of different banks. There will be an extra service charge for such cases.
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*Overseas remittance
- To send money overseas, fill out a designated application form and take it to a clerk at the bank. Both sender and recipient are required to pay a service charge.
- You may also ask the bank to issue a demand draft and mail it by yourself.
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- A banking service, which is outsourced by JAPAN POST BANK Co.,Ltd, is also available at the post office counters.
- To open your account at the post office, you are required to present identification such as your passport, driver's license or alien registration certificate, along with your personal seal (hanko/inkan).
- The maximum amount you may deposit into your post office account is 10,000,000 yen.
- You may send money overseas from the post office, either to an overseas address or to an overseas bank account. An overseas remittance service is not available at all post offices. Remittance to certain countries and regions may also not be available.
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- Major international credit cards are accepted at many locations. Air tickets, shinkansen (bullet train) tickets, and taxi charges in some cases can be paid by credit cards.
- Credit cards or ATM cards that were issued outside Japan may not be accepted at all ATMs for cashing services.
- Most ATMs at post offices accept credit cards issued overseas for cashing services. You may find a sign saying "International ATM Service" on or next to the machine, along with logos of acceptable credit companies.
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- Traveler's checks are accepted at major banks, hotels and large stores.
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- You may exchange foreign currencies into Japanese yen at banks and stores that show the "authorized money changer" sign. Exchange rates vary daily.
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