Business accounts: Japan

Updated 5 October 2026

An honest assessment before work starts, the quote is fixed in writing.

Japan is the world's third-largest economy, and a Japanese business account is almost always tied to a Japanese company and its manager's residence status. Japanese banks open accounts mainly for residents with a residence card, so a foreign entrepreneur first needs a company and the Business Manager status. From 16 October 2025 the requirements for this status rose considerably. Below: how to obtain a Japanese business visa under the new rules, how it relates to the account and what the bank checks.

Business Manager status from 16 October 2025

Japan's Immigration Services Agency revised the criteria for the Business Manager status. You now need:

• Capital of at least JPY 30 million, about $189,599 at the European Central Bank rate of 5 October 2026.
• A full-time employee - at least one.
• Japanese at B2 level, for example JLPT N2, held by the applicant or the full-time employee.
• Education or experience - a doctoral, master's or professional degree in a relevant field, or at least 3 years of business management experience.
• A business plan whose concreteness and feasibility are confirmed by a management specialist.

So a Japanese business visa today is a project with serious capital and a team, not a formal company registration.

How the company, visa and account connect

1. Company. We register a Japanese company and pay in the capital.
2. Visa. We apply for Business Manager status with the business plan and proof of capital, the employee and language.
3. Residence card. After entry the manager receives a residence card and registers an address.
4. Company account. The bank opens the company account after checking registration, office, manager and activity.

What the bank checks

• company registration, seal and articles;
• an office in Japan, not just a registered address;
• the manager's residence status and card;
• the business plan, counterparties and origin of the capital.

Why applications are refused

• the manager has no residence status in Japan;
• the company has no real office;
• capital or staff do not meet the new visa requirements;
• an unclear source of funds or links to sanctioned countries.

Personal account

Japanese banks usually open accounts for individuals after they obtain residence status, a residence card and register their address with the municipality. Newcomers should allow time for these steps before opening an account and receiving salary.

Taxes

A Japanese company pays national and local taxes on profits, and a resident manager pays Japanese income tax. More on our Japan taxes page.

What we do

We assess whether the project meets the new requirements, register the company, prepare the business plan and Business Manager application, and help with the office and the account. A manager will calculate the cost in the chat.

What we do

• Corporate account - opening assistance

See also

Company formation · Personal account · Investment property · Country taxes · All country programs

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