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Why It's So Difficult to Open a Corporate Bank Account in Japan
Opening a personal account is a breeze, but opening a corporate bank account in Japan often catches founders off guard. On paper, the process looks simple. In practice, it’s unpredictable and challenging to navigate, especially if you’re not fluent in Japanese.
Sometimes...
SMARTFIX
Focus on Your Business,
We’ll Handle Your Bank.
Setting up a corporate bank account in Japan is one of the most frustrating parts of starting a business here, even for those who can speak Japanese.
At SmartStart Japan, we specialize in helping non-Japanese founders, startups, and small businesses successfully open corporate bank accounts without the stress or confusion.
We can take care of the entire process:
GETTING STARTED
What’s Required to Open a Business Bank Account in Japan?
Anyone can find bank requirements online, but the magic part is knowing how to create the business plan specifically for Japanese corporate banks.
Certificate of Registered Matters (登記簿謄本)
Articles of Incorporation (定款)
Company seal (and seal registration certificate)
Business plan or explanation of operations
Proof of address (for company and representative)
Passport and residence card (if applicable)
Tax documents or a revenue forecast (in some cases)
✅ Not sure if you’ve got everything in order?
We’ll review your documents and help you prepare exactly what the bank expects without the guesswork!
Outsource Your Corporate Bank Account Setup to Experts
We’ve helped dozens of companies—run by founders from the US, Europe, Korea, Southeast Asia, and beyond—open Japanese bank accounts quickly and correctly. We also help those who have been rejected by banks through our Smart Fix service.
1
Free Consultation
We assess your company’s situation (newly incorporated, solo founder, home address, etc.) and recommend the right banking options for you.
2
Document Prep
We help you gather and translate the exact documents the bank needs.
3
Application Submission
We complete and submit the application on your behalf, and we speak directly with bank staff to handle any follow-ups if needed.
4
Approval & Account Setup
We guide you through the final steps until your account is open and ready to go!
Let’s Make Your Bank Account Happen!
If you want to open a corporate bank account in Japan without the stress, we’re here to help. Our service is fast, efficient, and built for foreign entrepreneurs.
About Us
Co-Founder | USA
Tyson Batino
Tyson Batino is a resident mentor for 500 global and is advising 35 companies on scaling their business in Japan by upgrading their marketing, sales, team, and operations. One area he noticed is that many companies lack good back office systems and it slows them down and makes it harder to get loans, investment, or acquired in the future.
Co-Founder | Japan
TJ Yoon
TJ is our expert who will handle all fulfillment. He was born in Japan and moved to Australia while in junior high school and stayed until he graduated from UNSW, a top 5 university in Australia. He has successfully incorporated more than 50 companies and more than 50 loan and subsidy applications. TJ can help guide you through the incorporation process and more.
Frequently Asked Questions
You will need a private office in Japan and a representative director for your company. As a foreigner, you would need a business manager visa or permanent residence or spouse of Japanese equivalent visa.
No problem. We act as your liaison and ensure nothing gets lost in translation.
No—you must complete incorporation first. But we can handle both the incorporation and bank account setup as a bundle.
Generally, most applications take around:Â
Document prep: 3–5 business days
Bank review & approval: 1–3 weeks
Account access: Usually available within 1 week of approval
We're Here to Help Open Your Corporate Bank Account in Japan!
SmartStart Japan is dedicated to helping international entrepreneurs confidently build and launch businesses in Japan.