Free business accounts in Japan: what no fee really means

Snapshot

In Japan, free usually means no account management fee rather than no cost at all. Several online banks, such as GMO Aozora Net Bank, charge no account management fee on a corporate account, and cross border providers such as Wise Business and Payoneer have no monthly fee on standard use. Transfer, foreign currency, and other transaction fees still apply, so the cheapest account depends on what you actually use.

No account fee at: Several online banks, for example GMO Aozora Net Bank, transaction fees apply
No monthly fee at: Wise Business and Payoneer on standard use, per transaction pricing
Costs that remain: Transfers, foreign currency conversion, cash handling, certificates
Charged in: Japanese yen (JPY)

Fees and features as of 20 January 2026Last reviewed 20 January 2026

General information, not financial, legal, or tax advice. Verify current terms and eligibility with the provider before applying.

As of 20 January 2026, you can run a business account in Japan with no account management fee, but no account fee is not the same as no cost. Several online banks, such as GMO Aozora Net Bank, charge no account management fee on a corporate account, and cross border providers such as Wise Business, which serves companies registered in Japan, and Payoneer have no monthly fee on standard use. What remains are transfer charges, foreign currency conversion margins, cash handling, and sometimes certificate fees. For a company that pays or receives abroad, those transaction costs usually matter more than the account fee. Confirm the current schedule with the provider before applying.

What free means for a business account in Japan

When a provider in Japan advertises a free business account, it almost always means there is no monthly account management fee. The account can still carry charges for the things you do with it, such as domestic and international transfers, converting between yen and other currencies, handling cash, and issuing certificates. Online banks tend to offer the lowest running costs and several charge no account management fee, while megabanks usually charge a monthly fee for their corporate online banking platform. Because the mix of charges differs, two companies on the same no fee account can pay very different totals. As of 20 January 2026, read the full fee schedule rather than the headline.

Where the no fee accounts are

Online banks are the usual home of the no fee account in Japan. GMO Aozora Net Bank advertises no account management fee on its corporate account and promotes low transfer pricing, and it onboards both incorporated companies and sole proprietors. Cross border providers extend the idea to foreign currency: Wise Business serves companies registered in Japan and charges per transfer rather than a monthly fee, and Payoneer has no monthly fee on standard use and can receive several currencies including yen. Each still charges for transactions, so compare the specific costs you will incur, as of 20 January 2026.

What you still pay

On a no fee account the costs that remain are the ones tied to activity. Domestic transfers range from close to free at some online banks up to a few thousand yen at certain banks. International transfers add a sending fee, possible correspondent bank charges, and a conversion margin away from the mid market rate. Cash deposits and withdrawals can carry fees, and some certificates are charged. For a company that pays suppliers abroad, the conversion margin is often the largest single cost. Compare the cost per transfer and the margin, not only whether the account itself is free, as of 20 January 2026.

How to find the cheapest account for you

List the things you will actually do, such as monthly transfers, international payments, foreign currency, and cash handling.
For each provider, total the account fee plus the transaction fees for that list, not just the headline account fee.
Confirm the current fee schedule with the provider before you apply, since published fees change.

Compare business accounts available in Japan

These providers serve business customers in Japan, including no fee online bank and cross border options. Fees and eligibility shown as of 20 January 2026. Confirm current terms with the provider before applying.

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Questions about free business accounts in Japan

Is there a truly free business account in Japan?

Some online banks charge no account management fee on a corporate account, for example GMO Aozora Net Bank, and cross border providers such as Wise Business and Payoneer have no monthly fee on standard use. No account fee does not mean no cost, because transfer, foreign currency, and other transaction fees still apply. Confirm the current fee schedule with the provider, as of 20 January 2026.

Which costs remain on a free business account in Japan?

Even with no account management fee you usually pay for domestic and international transfers, foreign currency conversion, cash handling, and sometimes certificate issuance. On cross border payments there can also be correspondent bank charges. Compare the cost per transfer and the conversion margin, not only the headline account fee, as of 20 January 2026.

Do megabanks in Japan offer free business accounts?

Megabanks usually charge a monthly fee for their corporate online banking service, for example MUFG BizStation at about 1,760 yen a month after three months and Mizuho Business WEB at about 3,300 yen a month with the first three months free, so they are generally not free to run. They add lending, branch service, and trade finance in return. Compare what you will actually use, as of 20 January 2026.

Is a free account the cheapest option in Japan?

Not always. A no fee account can still cost more overall if its transfer or foreign currency charges are high and you make many payments. A company that pays suppliers abroad may save more with a provider that has a low conversion margin than with one that simply waives the account fee. Total the costs you will actually incur, as of 20 January 2026.

Fees, features, and eligibility change and vary by region. This page was last reviewed on 20 January 2026. Confirm current terms with the provider before applying.