Edit: forgot to say I’m with working holiday visa.
I’ve been living in Japan since 3 weeks and I tried opening a Japan Post Bank account with no success, and I think I’m in trouble
Here’s what I’ve done yet: I read the website and filled the 6 or something pages form. Went to the big ゆうちょ銀行 Shinjuku branch with my printed form in hand and asked, the guy politely told me that reservation has to be done first and to download the specific app to open the account. Alright downloaded it and see that it requires NFC to work, and my phone doesn’t support that. Asked again and they told me to go in person to the nearest branch to my address. Went to that branch and asked again with my form in hand and told them the app method was not possible, they started asking some random stuff like why do I need to open it or if I have japanese friends, to show them my Zaryu card etc. Proceeded to do the reservation and they finally say that I must come with a japanese speaker person or they won’t do it.
I have the JLPT N3 but seems for them that I can’t handle this procedure, and I don’t know anyone willing to help me at Thursday morning. Is there any other option? Maybe ask again in Shinjuku or another branch and try to explain? I don’t know what to do and this is really annoying. Sorry for the long post.
4 comments
When I opened my account I just told them I didn’t know Japanese people and I refused to leave without my account I was annoying but I have my account
Banks sometimes do that when they don’t think you can understand the procedure/ they can explain it to you sufficiently. However, if you have N3 it should do🤷. Maybe try going to another branch instead ?
I opened my account four years ago in the Yuucho/JP Post branch that is inside the same building as Shinjuku Ward Office. Spoke almost zero Japanese but the staffs were very helpful and I have my account within 20 minutes.
Options include:
– Hiring an interpreter. And by interpreter, I mean any native speaker willing to help for money. Even if they just stand there.
– Show up alone at your appointment and stand your ground until you have an account open. That might require a lot of will-power from your part.
When we got here, my husband didn’t even have the N3 and he made it happen for both of us, but we had to go through a few uncooperative staff after that for setting up our stay here. As soon as we got the 6 months of residency required by most banks, we immediately set up another bank account to make sure we don’t rely on JP/Yucho.
Keep moving and you’ll find a way in.
Banking is one of the most painful things in Japan. You’re in the thickest of it right now, don’t give up, you got this!