Requirements and documents to open a business account in Japan

Snapshot

To open a business account in Japan you normally need a company registered in Japan, its certificate of registered matters, the articles of incorporation, the registered company seal and its seal certificate, identification for the representative director, and proof of a business address. Many banks expect a Japan resident representative and ask for recent documents.

Who can open: A company registered in Japan, or a sole proprietor at several online banks
Core documents: Certificate of registered matters, articles, registered seal and seal certificate, ID, address proof
Document freshness: Certificate and seal certificate often required within three to six months
Residency: Most banks expect a Japan resident representative director

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

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

As of 20 April 2026, the documents to open a business account in Japan centre on a registered company and its official records. Banks normally require the certificate of registered matters, the articles of incorporation, the registered company seal and its seal certificate, identification for the representative director, and proof of a business address. Many banks want the certificate and the seal certificate to be recent, often within three to six months, and most expect at least one representative resident in Japan. Sole proprietors usually face a shorter list. Confirm the exact requirements with the provider before applying.

What you need to open a business account in Japan

Japanese banks build their review around a registered company and its official documents. The core set is the certificate of registered matters, which proves the company exists and shows its directors and registered address, the articles of incorporation, the registered company seal with its seal certificate, identification for the representative director, and proof of a business address such as a lease or a utility bill. Many banks ask for a business plan and an explanation of expected activity, and some want evidence of paid in capital, often in the range of about one million to five million yen. As of 20 April 2026, confirm the exact documents and their validity periods with the provider.

The certificate of registered matters and the company seal

Two documents sit at the centre of the process. The certificate of registered matters, issued by the Legal Affairs Bureau, is usually required to be recent, commonly within three months. The registered company seal, the jitsuin, must match a seal certificate that many banks ask to have been issued within three to six months. The seal is used to stamp the account forms, so it needs to be registered before you apply. As of 20 April 2026, check each provider rule on how recent these documents must be.

Identification, address, and residency

Expect to provide identification for the representative director, such as a residence card and passport, and proof of a business address. A dedicated physical office tends to help, since virtual or shared addresses can draw extra scrutiny under anti money laundering checks. Most banks expect at least one representative resident in Japan, and reviews have become stricter. As of 20 April 2026, confirm the residency expectation with the provider and check your own visa position.

How to prepare your documents before you apply

Incorporate and register the company, then obtain a recent certificate of registered matters from the Legal Affairs Bureau.
Register the company seal and obtain a seal certificate, checking it is recent enough for your chosen bank.
Gather identification, the articles, proof of a business address, and a short explanation of the business, then confirm the provider current document list before applying.

Compare business accounts available in Japan

These providers serve business customers in Japan. Fees and eligibility shown as of 20 April 2026. Confirm current terms with the provider before applying.

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Questions about opening a business account in Japan

What documents do you need to open a business account in Japan?

Banks normally ask for the certificate of registered matters, the articles of incorporation, the registered company seal and its seal certificate, identification for the representative director, and proof of a business address. Many banks want the certificate of registered matters and the seal certificate to be recent, often issued within three to six months. Confirm the exact list with the provider, as of 20 April 2026.

Do you need a company seal to open a business account in Japan?

In most cases yes. The registered company seal, the jitsuin, remains central to Japanese corporate banking, and banks usually ask for the seal and a matching seal certificate from the Legal Affairs Bureau. Some online banks have reduced their reliance on the seal, but a registered seal is still commonly expected. Confirm with the provider, as of 20 April 2026.

Does the representative director need to live in Japan?

Most banks expect at least one representative who is resident in Japan, and due diligence has tightened. A company without a resident representative often finds account opening harder. Reforms to the business manager visa in October 2025 also raised the capital and hiring expectations for foreign founders. Confirm the current requirements with the provider and check your visa position, as of 20 April 2026.

What documents does a sole proprietor need in Japan?

A sole proprietor usually shows identification, the notification of business opening filed with the tax office, and proof of address. Several online banks onboard sole proprietors, and the list is shorter than for a company. Confirm the requirements with the provider, as of 20 April 2026.

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

Requirements and documents in Japan