Marketing, creative, and digital agencies in Japan usually want clear invoicing, low running costs, and good handling of foreign currency when they bill clients abroad. A domestic account is opened with a Japanese bank or online bank once the company is incorporated, while Wise Business serves companies registered in Japan for cross border payments.
Suits agencies best
An online bank for low running cost, plus a cross border payments provider for overseas clients
Typical monthly fee
No account fee at several online banks; megabank online banking from about 1,760 yen a month
Non resident position
Difficult. Most banks expect a company incorporated in Japan and a resident representative director
Charged in
Japanese yen (JPY)
Fees and features as of 12 February 2026Last reviewed 12 February 2026
General information, not financial, legal, or tax advice. Verify current terms and eligibility with the provider before applying.
Agencies in Japan that invoice overseas clients usually pair a low cost domestic account, for example an online bank such as GMO Aozora Net Bank, with a cross border payments provider. Wise Business serves companies registered in Japan and can receive and hold many currencies, while megabanks such as MUFG Bank suit larger agencies that want a branch relationship and foreign exchange desk. Compare the cost per transfer and the currency conversion margin against any monthly fee. Information as of 12 February 2026, not advice.
What agencies in Japan need from a business account
Agencies bill clients in several currencies, manage project based cash flow, and run small teams that need cards and clear expense tracking. The priorities are usually simple invoicing, low running costs, predictable electronic banking, foreign currency receiving and sending, and the ability to add users. Online banks in Japan tend to keep monthly costs low, while megabanks add branch service and trade tools. A company incorporated in Japan is normally required, and many banks expect the representative director to be resident in Japan.
W
Wise Business
Receives and holds many currencies and serves companies registered in Japan, useful for agencies that bill clients abroad. It is a money services provider, not a bank.
These providers serve agencies that operate as a Japan registered business. Fees and eligibility shown as of 12 February 2026. Confirm current terms with the provider before applying.
A smaller agency often values an online bank such as GMO Aozora Net Bank for low running costs, while an agency billing overseas clients may add Wise Business to receive and hold foreign currency. Larger agencies that want a branch relationship and a foreign exchange desk may prefer a megabank such as MUFG Bank. Information as of 12 February 2026, not advice.
Can an agency in Japan receive payments in US dollars or euros?
Yes. Japanese banks offer foreign currency handling, and Wise Business, which serves companies registered in Japan, can receive and hold many currencies. Conversion margins and transfer fees apply and vary by provider, so confirm the current charges, as of 12 February 2026.
Do international neobanks open a local yen agency account in Japan?
Wise Business serves companies registered in Japan for cross border payments and can hold many currencies, though it is a money services provider rather than a bank. A resident yen settlement account is typically opened with a Japanese bank or online bank. Confirm the current position with each provider, as of 12 February 2026.
Does an agency need to be incorporated to open an account?
For a company account, yes. Banks normally require a company incorporated in Japan with the registered documents and company seal, and many expect the representative director to be resident in Japan. Sole proprietors can often open online bank accounts more easily. Verify your case with the provider, as of 12 February 2026.
Fees, features, and eligibility change and vary by region. This page was last reviewed on 12 February 2026. Confirm current terms with the provider before applying.