Opening a Bank Account at a Japanese Bank — JLPT N3 Japanese Conversation
The situation
Yattan (ヤッタン) sits down at the counter (窓口) of a Japanese bank and speaks with the bank teller (銀行員さん) to open a new account.
すみません、口座を作りたいんですが。
すみません、こうざを つくりたいんですが。
Excuse me, I'd like to open an account.
かしこまりました。口座を作るのに、何が必要ですか、ご存じですか。
かしこまりました。こうざを つくるのに、なにが ひつようですか、ごぞんじですか。
Certainly. Do you know what you need in order to open an account?
いいえ、初めてなので分かりません。口座を作るのに何が必要ですか。
いいえ、はじめてなので わかりません。こうざを つくるのに なにが ひつようですか。
No, it's my first time so I'm not sure. What do I need in order to open an account?
在留カードと印鑑をお持ちですか。印鑑があれば、今日すぐに口座が作れますよ。
ざいりゅうカードと いんかんを おもちですか。いんかんが あれば、きょう すぐに こうざが つくれますよ。
Do you have your residence card and a personal seal? If you have a seal, we can open the account right away today.
はい、両方持っています。
はい、りょうほう もっています。
Yes, I have both.
では、こちらの申込書にお名前とご住所を書いていただけますか。
では、こちらの もうしこみしょに おなまえと ごじゅうしょを かいていただけますか。
Then, could you write your name and address on this application form?
分かりました。ここにも印鑑を押さなければなりませんか。
わかりました。ここにも いんかんを おさなければ なりませんか。
Understood. Do I have to stamp my seal here as well?
はい、そこに押さなければなりません。通帳は今日お渡ししますが、キャッシュカードは後日ご自宅に郵送されます。
はい、そこに おさなければ なりません。つうちょうは きょう おわたししますが、キャッシュカードは ごじつ ごじたくに ゆうそうされます。
Yes, you must stamp it there. We'll hand you the passbook today, but the cash card will be mailed to your home at a later date.
よく分かりました。ありがとうございます。
よく わかりました。ありがとうございます。
I understand completely. Thank you very much.
Key expressions
- 口座を作るのに何が必要ですか — "What do I need in order to open an account?" Here 〜のに attaches to the dictionary form (作る + のに) to express purpose, "for the purpose of doing ~." Don't confuse it with the "even though" 〜のに; the purpose reading always follows a plain non-past verb.
- 印鑑があれば — "If you have a seal ~." The 〜ば conditional states a general condition: meet it, and the result follows. See The 〜ば conditional for how the ば-form is built from each verb type.
- 書いていただけますか — "Could you write ~?" The most polite everyday request pattern: て-form + いただけますか. It literally asks to receive the favour of the action, which is why counter staff and customers both reach for it. See 〜ていただけませんか and polite requests.
- 押さなければなりません — "You must stamp (it)." The 〜なければなりません pattern expresses obligation ("must / have to"). Formed from the ない-form minus い plus ければなりません: 押さない → 押さなければなりません.
About opening a bank account in Japan
Japanese banks still run on paper and stamps. To open an account (口座を開く) you almost always need your 在留カード (residence card) and a personal seal, the 印鑑 / はんこ (hanko) — a signature is sometimes accepted, but a seal is expected and often required. You receive a 通帳 (passbook) that records every transaction in print, while the キャッシュカード (ATM card) is not handed over on the spot; it arrives by registered mail (郵送) a week or two later, so you need a stable address. Many banks also ask for a Japanese phone number. If you get stuck, the one survival phrase worth memorising is 「口座を作りたいんですが」 ("I'd like to open an account") — say it at the counter and the staff will guide you through the rest.
Frequently asked questions
Do I really need a hanko (印鑑) to open a Japanese bank account?
Most traditional banks still expect a personal seal, though some now accept a signature and online-only banks may skip it entirely. To be safe, bring your 印鑑 — with it, 「印鑑があれば」, the account can usually be opened the same day.
Why didn't I get my cash card at the counter?
For security, banks in Japan mail the キャッシュカード to your registered address a week or two later, often by registered post you must sign for. You do, however, receive your 通帳 (passbook) on the day.
What's the difference between 〜のに for purpose and 〜のに for 'even though'?
The purpose 〜のに follows a dictionary-form verb and means 'in order to' (作るのに = 'in order to make'). The contrastive 〜のに means 'even though' and follows a fuller clause (作ったのに = 'even though I made it'). The verb form before it tells them apart.