Investments

We are often asked about the best way to plan and stick to a monthly budget. There are a number of different ways, but the "Pay Yourself First" method is the one that most people have the least difficulty sustaining over the long term.

For newcomers, there are a series of rather predictable steps one must take upon arriving in Japan to get settled. And invariably, after housing and other immediate needs have been sorted out, the question of how to open a bank account arises.

Opening a bank account is a straight forward procedure, and probably not much different than in your home country. Your ID card, the Alien Registration Certificate (ARC) acts as both proof of identification and proof of address. If you are waiting for your ARC to be issued then your local Ward office can print you out a paper document with the same information (kisai jikou shoumeishou). If you have moved recently then be sure to update your ARC before going to the bank. Your visa should have more than 6 months remaining before expiration, and you must have an approved status of residence to open an account.