Maybe someone can point me in the correct direction. I am a U.S. Citizen Married to a Japanese Citizen for over 15 years. My spouse has lived outside of Japan (U.S.) for over 15 years and wants to move back there for a few years since her parents are in their late 80s and she wants to spend time with them, due to one of them having a condition . We both currently work in the United States and have a Joint U.S. bank account. My job has agreed to allow me to work remotely either getting paid U.S. dollars as a contractor or using a Global Partner system in Japan so I would technically be an Employee to a Japanese company (which we will do is undecided). My spouse will be unemployed until she can find a job or maybe not at all (undecided).
My understanding is that most apartments and utility companies require a Bank Account to pay bills. My understanding is that you need to live in the country for 6 months to open a bank account even if you are a Japanese Citizen who has lived abroad for years. Is this statement accurate?
What options do we have besides paying cash for bills if we cant get a bank account?
If my spouse is able to open an account before me can I send money to her account without penalty as long as I don’t go over the 20 million Exemption? Would wire transfers be OK or could assets be frozen at the banks whim?
Anything else I should watch out for?
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by Exciting-Tart8282