Switching a business bank account in Japan: how it works

Snapshot

Japan has no central switching service, so changing your business account is a manual process. You open the new account, then move incoming payments, transfers, and direct debits across yourself. Direct debit mandates take the longest, so most businesses keep both accounts open during the changeover.

Switching service: No central switching service in Japan, the move is manual
Slowest step: Direct debit, the koza furikae mandate, around 60 days to register
Company seal: Use your existing registered seal to complete the new forms
Practical tip: Keep both accounts open until everything has moved and cleared

Fees and features as of 1 April 2026Last reviewed 1 April 2026

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

As of 1 April 2026, switching a business account in Japan is a manual process because there is no central switching service. You open the new account, give customers your new details for incoming furikomi transfers, move outgoing transfers and payroll, and re register direct debits, the koza furikae mandates, with each biller. Registering a new direct debit can take around 60 days, so most businesses keep both accounts open until everything has moved and cleared, then close the old one. Update your invoices, accounting records, the tax office, and your qualified invoice details. Confirm each step with the provider and counterparties before relying on it.

How switching a business account works in Japan

Japan does not have a central switching service that moves your payment arrangements for you. The change is manual, so the practical work is in opening the new account and then redirecting everything that flows in and out of the old one. That includes incoming customer payments by furikomi transfer, outgoing transfers to suppliers and staff, and direct debits, the koza furikae mandates, for utilities, rent, taxes, and social insurance. As of 1 April 2026, plan the move so that both accounts run in parallel until the new one is fully live.

Direct debits and payees take the most time

Registering a new direct debit instruction with a biller can take around 60 days, because the request passes through the banks for confirmation. Incoming transfers move as soon as you give customers your new account details, but you depend on each customer updating their records. For this reason most businesses keep the old account funded and open during the changeover, then close it only once nothing is still routed to it. As of 1 April 2026, confirm each biller lead time directly.

Records, tax, and the qualified invoice system

Update your account details everywhere they appear, including invoices, accounting software, payroll, the tax office, and pension and health insurance registrations. If your registered invoice details change, reflect that under the qualified invoice system so your invoices stay valid for input tax credit. Keep a record of the date each arrangement moved, which helps if a payment is delayed. As of 1 April 2026, verify the current process with the provider and with each counterparty.

How to switch in an orderly way

Open the new account first and confirm it is fully active, including online banking and any cards.
Move incoming payments and outgoing transfers, then re register each direct debit, allowing about 60 days for biller confirmation.
Update invoices, accounting software, payroll, the tax office, and your qualified invoice details, then close the old account once nothing is still routed to it.

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Questions about switching business account in japan

Is there a bank switching service in Japan?

There is no central account switching service in Japan that moves your payees and direct debits for you, unlike the current account switch service in some other markets. Switching is a manual process where you open the new account, then move your incoming payments, transfers, and direct debits across yourself. Confirm each provider process with the bank, as of 1 April 2026.

How long does it take to switch a business account in Japan?

Opening the new account can take from a few days at an online bank to about two to three weeks at a megabank. Moving direct debits, the koza furikae mandates, takes longer, since registering a new debit instruction with a biller can take around 60 days. Most businesses keep both accounts open during the changeover. Confirm timelines with the provider, as of 1 April 2026.

Do you need a new company seal to switch banks in Japan?

You usually use your existing registered company seal to complete the new account forms, so you do not need a new seal. The bank will ask for the seal and a matching seal certificate as part of opening. Confirm the requirements with the provider, as of 1 April 2026.

Can you keep your old business account open while switching in Japan?

Yes, and it is common to keep the old account open until every incoming payment, transfer, and direct debit has moved and cleared. This avoids missed payments while billers update your details. Close the old account only once nothing is still routed to it. As of 1 April 2026.

Fees, features, and eligibility change and vary by region. This page was last reviewed on 1 April 2026. Confirm current terms with the provider before applying.

Switching business account in Japan