Important
March 22, 2019
ATTN: International Students
Opening Bank Accounts in Japan
There are a number of banks in Sendai with branches convenient to Tohoku University's campuses.
Below you will find information on opening accounts at two major banks with branches/ATMs in Sendai.
Be aware that it may be difficult to receive money transfers from abroad immediately after opening anaccount. Therefore, we recommend that you bring an international cash card that can be used to withdraw
money in Japan.
Reference (ATMs): http://sup.bureau.tohoku.ac.jp/pre/atm_en.html
Japan Post Bank (typical branch)

77 Bank (Head Office)No. of visits required

1

2

Days needed to openSame-day

3 to 14 days

Documents/information

1. Residence Card (with address

1. Residence Card (with address onneededon back)back)2. Passport

2. Passport

3. National Health Insurance card

3. National Health Insurance card

4. Certificate of Residence

4. Student/staff ID (see Note 2)

5. Daytime phone number

5. Daytime phone number (see Notean account3)
ATMs provide English

Yesinstructions

Limited (certain locations only) todeposit/withdrawal instructions(as of March 2019)
Note 1: The above are for typical cases. Details may vary depending on the branch.
Note 2: If you have not received your ID yet, you can bring your acceptance notice, letter of acceptance,
employment contract, job offer letter, etc. instead.
Note 3: If you do not have your own landline or mobile number, you can enter a number at which you canbe reached during the day, such as your laboratory's phone number etc. If you have not been
assigned to a laboratory, you will have to call the 77 Bank Head Office yourself 3 to 14 days laterto get the results of your screening and make an appointment to return to open the account.
For details, please inquire at any Japan Post Bank or 77 Bank branch.
Japan Post Bank77 Bank (Japanese only)Reference
Opening a Japan Post Bank Account (typical branch)
1. Enter all required items on the necessary forms
2. Show personal identification (Residence Card, passport, National Health Insurance card,Certificate of Residence), wait for the passbook to be issued
3. Receive the passbook (the cash card will be sent by post later)
Opening a 77 Bank Account (at Head Office)1. Take the documents/information listed above, such as your Residence Card, passport, National
Health Insurance card, etc., to the bank. Fill out the required items on the bank forms and submit
them for the preliminary screening.
77 Bank application preparation/screening (3 to 14 days)
2. 77 Bank will call you at the number you provided once they complete the preliminary screening.
You will then make an appointment to return to open the account.
3. Take all necessary documents/information to the bank on the day of your appointment. Fill out theaccount application form.
4. Once you have completed the procedures and your documents have been checked, you will beissued a passbook and cash card.
(77 Bank is open from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM on weekdays. The preliminary screening and accountopening procedures take about 1 hour, so it is necessary to arrive at the bank with enough time
before it closes.)Mizuho Bank, Sumitomo Mitsui Bank, and MUFG Bank sometimes do not allow international students toopen an account for up to six months after their arrival in Japan. For details, please inquire at the relevantbank.
Mizuho Bank, Sendai Branch: 022-222-9111
Sumitomo Mitsui Bank, Sendai Branch: 022-222-5111
MUFG Bank, Sendai Branch: 022-222-7191
Education and Student Support Department
Student Exchange Division